BRICS adopts a 140-paragraph New Delhi Declaration at its 18th summit
Eleven members with rival interests agreed on 140 paragraphs. What did India's chairship get in?
Published 13 September 2026. Written by Pratidin from the reports linked at the end; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work
BRICS leaders met at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026 for the 18th BRICS summit, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", whose initials spell BRICS. On 12 September they adopted the New Delhi Declaration by consensus: a 140-paragraph document on global governance reform, conflicts, trade and finance, energy and climate, technology, health, agriculture and people-to-people ties. The summit fell in the 20th year of BRICS, which was formalised in 2006. The group now lists 11 members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, though Saudi Arabia was represented by its Foreign Minister and took part as an invitee. China will chair BRICS in 2027.
On institutions, China and Russia, "as permanent members of the UN Security Council", reiterated support for "the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council" (para 13), and the declaration recognised African aspirations in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. It noted that no woman has ever been elected UN Secretary-General (para 9), urged that IMF quota increases under the 16th General Review of Quotas take effect "with no further delay" (para 18), and sought immediate restoration of a "two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement mechanism" while backing WTO accession for Ethiopia and Iran (para 20). It opposed "unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures" such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms (para 108). It condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 in which 26 people were killed (para 40).
On West Asia, members expressed "deep concern" and called for "maximum restraint" (para 28), and voiced concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards (para 29). Practical outcomes include continued work by the BRICS Payment Task Force on cross-border payments among members (para 90), the Jaipur Consensus to study an invoice discounting mechanism for MSMEs (para 85), work on a BRICS Grain Exchange (para 60), and a mental health network with NIMHANS, Bengaluru as nodal centre. In his address Mr. Modi said a "pyramid of privilege" must give way to a "partnership platform", and proposed ten global governance reform proposals built on representation, responsiveness and rule-making, a continuity mechanism using the BRICS Troika, and a Seafarers' Emergency Support Network. Reports noted that the West Asia text had to balance Iran and the UAE, both members; supporters call consensus in a larger group a success, while the text stays general on the hardest disputes.
Prelims facts
- The 18th BRICS summit was held in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026 under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
- The New Delhi Declaration has 140 paragraphs and was adopted by consensus on 12 September 2026.
- In para 13, China and Russia, as UNSC permanent members, backed Brazil's and India's aspirations to a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.
- The declaration condemned the 22 April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, and opposed carbon border adjustment mechanisms as unilateral measures.
- China will hold the BRICS chairship in 2027.
Quick recall
- Where and when was the 18th BRICS summit held?
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 12 to 13 September 2026.
- Theme of the 18th BRICS summit?
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- How many paragraphs does the New Delhi Declaration have?
- 140, adopted by consensus on 12 September 2026.
- Which country holds the BRICS chairship in 2027?
- China.
- Where was the first BRIC summit held, and when?
- Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
- Which African country joined in 2010 to turn BRIC into BRICS?
- South Africa.
- What is the Jaipur Consensus in the 2026 declaration?
- An agreement to study an invoice discounting mechanism for BRICS members to help MSMEs.
- Which Indian institution is nodal centre for the BRICS mental well-being network?
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
Prelims practice question
With reference to the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS summit in September 2026, which one of the following statements is correct?
- It was adopted by a two-thirds majority after Iran objected.
- It records support from China and Russia for Brazil's and India's aspirations to a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.
- It welcomes carbon border adjustment mechanisms as a tool for climate finance.
- It announces the launch of a common BRICS currency from 2027.
Show answer
Answer: (b) It records support from China and Russia for Brazil's and India's aspirations to a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.. Para 13 records that China and Russia, as permanent members, support the aspirations of Brazil and India to a greater role in the UN including its Security Council. The declaration was adopted by consensus, it opposes carbon border adjustment mechanisms as unilateral protectionist measures, and it speaks only of payment interoperability, not a common currency.
Use this in UPSC Mains: previous-year questions
Recurring theme: BRICS, reform of global institutions and India's role in the Global South
- How to use this
The New Delhi Declaration is fresh evidence of BRICS pressing for reform of the UN, IMF and WTO on behalf of the Global South, while its vague consensus shows the limits.
- The 18th BRICS summit (New Delhi, 12 to 13 September 2026) adopted a 140-paragraph declaration by consensus among 11 members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE.
- It urged IMF quota increases under the 16th General Review 'with no further delay', sought restoration of a two-tier WTO dispute settlement mechanism and opposed carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
- Limits: West Asia language had to balance Iran and the UAE, and China's support for India's UN role (para 13) repeats earlier text without naming permanent seats.
The New Development Bank, proposed in India's 2012 chairship, remains BRICS' main institution; the 2026 declaration returns to development finance in local currencies.
Tests the BRICS basics repeated in this story: the first summit was at Yekaterinburg (not Rio) in 2009, and South Africa was the last of the original five to join.
UPSC tracks recent summits and new members; the 2026 summit's venue, theme and 11-member roster are the next such facts.
Mains practice question
The New Delhi Declaration of 2026 shows both the reach and the limits of an expanded BRICS. Examine with reference to global governance reform and India's interests. (250 words)
Model answer
The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi (12 to 13 September 2026) produced a 140-paragraph declaration by consensus among 11 members, the first under India's chair since the group's expansion.
Reach: what the text secures
- UN reform: China and Russia reiterated support for Brazil's and India's aspirations to a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council (para 13); African claims under the Ezulwini Consensus were recognised.
- Bretton Woods and WTO: IMF quota increases under the 16th General Review to take effect without delay; restoration of the two-tier WTO dispute settlement system.
- Terrorism: explicit condemnation of the 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a diplomatic gain for India.
- Trade and climate: opposition to unilateral measures such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms, which hit Indian steel and aluminium exporters.
- Deliverables: Payment Task Force on local-currency payments, Jaipur Consensus for MSME invoice discounting, BRICS Grain Exchange, NIMHANS-led mental health network.
Limits: what the text shows
- Consensus dilutes: West Asia language had to balance Iran and the UAE; calls for "maximum restraint" name no party.
- China's support stays vague: the UNSC line repeats earlier declarations without naming permanent seats.
- Uneven membership: Saudi Arabia attended only as an invitee.
- Implementation gap: hence Mr. Modi's proposal for a Troika-based continuity mechanism.
India's interests
- Frame BRICS as reformist, not anti-Western, balancing ties with the U.S. and EU.
- Use the ten reform proposals on representation, responsiveness and rule-making to lead the Global South.
BRICS can amplify the Global South's voice, but its value to India will rest on delivering concrete, tracked outcomes rather than longer declarations.
The basics
Why this matters
BRICS began as an investment-bank label and became a summit club for much of the developing world. India chaired it in 2026, the group's 20th year, and steered 11 members to one 140-paragraph text. To judge that, know how BRICS grew, how it decides and what it has built.
From an acronym to a grouping
The word BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001. The four countries formalised their meetings in 2006 and held their first leaders' summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, adding the S. India first chaired the group in 2012, when it proposed a development bank; that became the New Development Bank.
- 2001Goldman Sachs coins the term BRIC
- 2006BRIC formalised as a political grouping
- 2009First summit, Yekaterinburg
- 2010South Africa joins; BRIC becomes BRICS
- 2012India's first chairship proposes a development bank
- 2016Goa summit under India's chair
- 202618th summit in New Delhi adopts the New Delhi Declaration
How BRICS decides
BRICS has no charter and no secretariat. It decides by consensus, so one member can block a sentence. The paragraph on tensions in West Asia (para 28) had to satisfy both Iran and the UAE, so it calls for "maximum restraint" without naming a party.
- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
- Five voices to reconcile
- Mostly large emerging economies
- Adds Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE
- Eleven voices, with Saudi Arabia attending as an invitee
- Includes rival West Asian states
What the declaration asks of global institutions
The biggest theme is reform of bodies set up after 1945. On UN Security Council reform, China and Russia repeated support for a greater UN role for Brazil and India. On the WTO, members want the two-tier appeals system restored (see WTO dispute settlement). On trade and climate, they oppose unilateral measures such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms (the text does not name the EU, whose Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is the main example).
India's pitch
Mr. Modi asked BRICS to move from a "pyramid of privilege" to a "partnership platform". His three practical ideas: ten reform proposals built on representation, responsiveness and rule-making; a continuity mechanism in which the past, present and next chairs (the Troika) track decisions; and a support network for seafarers stranded by wars on sea lanes.
- 1Ten reform proposalsGlobal governance reform built on representation, responsiveness and rule-making
- 2Continuity and Implementation MechanismUses the BRICS Troika and a digital record to track decisions across chairships
- 3Seafarers' Emergency Support NetworkLinks maritime authorities to help seafarers in distress
Go deeper
In one line: India's chairship produced a 140-paragraph consensus declaration from an 11-member BRICS, strong on institutional reform and terrorism, cautious on the conflicts that divide its members.
Why it matters for UPSC
BRICS is a standing topic in GS2 (groupings and international institutions) and a regular Prelims theme: members, summits, the New Development Bank. The 2026 summit adds India's chairship, the first after expansion, and a text that links to UN, IMF and WTO reform.
The core idea
BRICS works only by consensus. An expanded group gives the Global South a louder voice, but every sentence must be acceptable to Iran and the UAE, to China and India. So the declaration is most specific where interests overlap: UN Security Council reform, restoring WTO dispute settlement, opposing unilateral measures like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and building its own finance, as the New Development Bank did a decade ago. It is least specific on wars.
Numbers and dates to remember
- 12 to 13 September 2026: 18th summit, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- 140 paragraphs; adopted by consensus on 12 September.
- 11 members and 10 partner countries.
- Para 13: China and Russia back Brazil's and India's aspirations in the UN.
- Para 40: condemns the 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir (26 killed).
- 2027: China chairs BRICS.
Where to go next
- New Development Bank: the first institution BRICS built, and why it matters for finance in local currencies.
- UN Security Council reform: what the G4 and Africa want, and why P5 language matters.
- WTO dispute settlement: why the two-tier system stopped working.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: the EU carbon levy BRICS calls protectionist.
Go deeper: is an expanded BRICS more useful to India, or less?
The case that it helps India. A larger BRICS gives weight to demands India has made for decades. The text repeats China's and Russia's support for India's greater role in the UN, condemns the Pahalgam attack by date and death toll, and presses for IMF quota increases under the 16th General Review and a working WTO dispute settlement system. It gives India a platform to lead the Global South on digital public infrastructure, MSME finance (the Jaipur Consensus) and food security (the Grain Exchange).
The case that it constrains India. Consensus among 11 members produces cautious wording. The UN Security Council reform line repeats earlier declarations and does not promise permanent seats. The paragraph on West Asian tensions calls for "maximum restraint" without naming anyone, because Iran and the UAE sit at the same table. China's weight inside the group is large, and it chairs in 2027. India also has to show Washington and Brussels that BRICS is not an anti-Western bloc, even as the text attacks unilateral tariffs and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Institutions versus statements. BRICS' most concrete success is still the New Development Bank, proposed during India's 2012 chairship. India's continuity mechanism, using the Troika to track decisions, is an attempt to fix a known weakness: annual declarations whose items are not followed up.
Exam angle. A strong answer balances both sides: BRICS as a reformist platform that India uses alongside the Quad, G20 and SCO, not as a substitute for them.
New Development Bank
BRICS' first real institution and a Prelims favourite.
In one line: The New Development Bank (NDB) is a multilateral bank set up by the BRICS countries, headquartered in Shanghai, to fund infrastructure and sustainable development.
Where it came from
India proposed a BRICS development bank during its first chairship in 2012. The agreement was signed at the Fortaleza summit in Brazil in 2014, alongside a Contingent Reserve Arrangement of $100 billion, a pool members can draw on during balance of payments stress. UPSC asked in 2016 whether the NDB was set up by APEC (it was not) and whether its headquarters is in Shanghai (it is).
Why it is in the news
The 2026 declaration encourages continued work on development finance and local-currency lending, and India's summit agenda links BRICS finance to MSMEs and payments. The NDB shows what BRICS can build when members agree.
Where to go next
UN Security Council reform
The declaration's lead governance demand and India's long-standing goal.
In one line: UN Security Council reform means changing the 15-member Council, where five permanent members hold a veto, so that it reflects today's world.
The structure today
The Council has 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and the U.S.) and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Any permanent member can veto a substantive decision. Changing this needs an amendment to the UN Charter, which itself needs the support of all five permanent members.
Who wants what
India, Brazil, Germany and Japan (the G4) seek permanent seats. The African Union's common position, the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration of 2005, asks for permanent and non-permanent seats for Africa. The New Delhi Declaration recognises Africa's claim and records China's and Russia's support for Brazil's and India's aspirations to a "greater role", a phrase that stops short of endorsing permanent seats.
Where to go next
WTO dispute settlement
Why BRICS wants the WTO's appeals system back.
In one line: The WTO settles trade disputes in two tiers, panels and then an Appellate Body, and the second tier has not worked since December 2019.
How it was meant to work
A member that believes another has broken WTO rules asks for a panel. Either side can appeal the panel's report to the seven-member Appellate Body, whose ruling is binding. This two-tier system made WTO rules enforceable.
What broke
Appellate Body members are appointed by consensus. The United States blocked new appointments, and by December 2019 the body lacked the minimum three members to hear appeals. A losing party can now appeal "into the void" and the dispute stalls. Some members set up an interim arrangement (the MPIA) among themselves.
Why it is in the news
Para 20 of the New Delhi Declaration calls for immediate restoration of a "two-tier binding" system. With unilateral tariffs rising, developing countries want rules that bind the powerful too.
Where to go next
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The EU carbon levy that BRICS calls unilateral and discriminatory.
In one line: The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) charges importers for the carbon emitted in making certain goods, so that EU producers who pay a carbon price are not undercut.
How it works
Importers of covered goods (cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen) must report embedded emissions and, from 1 January 2026, pay for them through CBAM certificates priced on the EU carbon market. A transition phase with reporting only ran from October 2023. Credit is given for a carbon price already paid in the country of origin.
Why developing countries object
They argue it is a trade barrier dressed as climate policy and ignores common but differentiated responsibilities under the climate treaties. Indian steel and aluminium exports to the EU are directly exposed. Para 108 of the New Delhi Declaration opposes "unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures" such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
Where to go next
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: every story that connects to it (4)
Take the 13 September 2026 quiz: 30 Prelims-style questions with answers