At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, member nations unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026. Host India secured the consensus after marathon negotiations lasting until 4:00 AM, successfully bridging deep divisions between rivals Iran and the UAE. The joint declaration calls for maximum restraint in the Middle East, condemns the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, and demands urgent reforms to global governance institutions to give the Global South a stronger voice.
New Delhi Declaration adoption
- ▪The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, India, on September 12 and 13, 2026, under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'
- ▪Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026 on September 12, 2026, during the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India
Pahalgam terror attack condemnation
- ▪The BRICS member nations reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all forms, including stopping the cross-border movement of terrorists, disrupting terror financing, and dismantling safe havens
- ▪The BRICS New Delhi Declaration explicitly condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and injured many others
Middle East escalation concerns
- ▪The BRICS joint statement voiced serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards
- ▪The BRICS New Delhi Declaration expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the eruption of the Iran-US war in February 2026
Maximum restraint calls
- ▪The BRICS joint statement stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy in accordance with applicable international law
- ▪The BRICS nations called for exercising maximum restraint and avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation in the Middle East, while urging the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure
BRICS diplomatic consensus
- ▪The consensus was achieved despite deep geopolitical differences over the West Asia conflict between BRICS members Iran and the United Arab Emirates, who had previously blocked a joint statement in May 2026
- ▪The BRICS negotiators reached consensus on the New Delhi Declaration after intense, late-night negotiations that lasted until approximately 4:00 AM on September 12, 2026
Global South representation reform
- ▪Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's demand for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council, stating that reform of the council can no longer be delayed
- ▪Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Global South is currently in the front row regarding global crises but in the back row for decision-making, calling for a platform of partnership where every country has a voice
Debatable claims
- ▪Iran should immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping
- ▪The BRICS bloc is an effective vehicle to challenge Western global dominance
- ▪The United Nations Security Council should expand its permanent membership
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