New Delhi Declaration: Key Outcomes of the 18th BRICS Summit

Context

BRICS members adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit after prolonged negotiations, particularly over the wording on the West Asia conflict.
Consensus was significant as BRICS Foreign Ministers had failed to issue a joint statement in May due to differences, including between Iran and the UAE.
India, as the host and chair, played a key diplomatic role in reconciling divergent positions and keeping geopolitical differences from derailing the summit.
The declaration reflects BRICS’ broader objective of strengthening cooperation among developing countries amid geopolitical and economic fragmentation.

The declaration adopted consensus-oriented language without directly assigning responsibility for the conflict.
It called for maximum restraint, dialogue and diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
It stressed continuity of trade, supply chains and energy flows and expressed concern over attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.
On Gaza and Palestine, BRICS called for:

Maintenance of the ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian assistance.
Opposition to forced displacement and starvation as a method of warfare.
Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Continued support for UNRWA.
A two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
Palestinian self-determination, right of return and full UN membership.

It also called for adherence to the Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from remaining Lebanese territory and an inclusive political transition in Syria.

BRICS strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people.
It highlighted terror financing, safe havens, extremism, radicalisation of youth and the need for stronger international counter-terrorism cooperation.
The declaration rejected double standards and stressed that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.
It recognised the role of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group; for India, the explicit focus on terrorism and cross-border dimensions represents an important diplomatic gain.
On trade, BRICS opposed unilateral coercive measures inconsistent with international law, the UN Charter and WTO principles.
It called for a fair, stable and predictable trading environment and opposed punitive or discriminatory unilateral Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs).

BRICS did not announce a common currency; instead, it adopted a gradual approach towards greater use of national currencies.
Priorities include interoperability of national payment systems, faster and cheaper cross-border payments, local-currency trade and investment, and technical work through the BRICS Payment Task Force.
The New Development Bank (NDB) will explore greater local-currency financing, while BRICS will continue work on a proposed New Investment Platform and India’s proposed BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City.
On Artificial Intelligence, BRICS emphasised inclusive access, safety, reliability, energy efficiency and greater participation of developing countries in global AI governance.
India’s hosting of the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 was welcomed.

Digital Public Infrastructure: A proposed BRICS repository and pilot projects can facilitate sharing of India’s DPI experience with partner countries.
Health: A BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence on mental well-being are proposed, with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, as coordinating centre.
Industry 4.0: The India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies will support manufacturing firms and small businesses in adopting advanced digital technologies.
Development cooperation includes a BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development, BRICS–NDB Knowledge Portal, infrastructure and PPP cooperation, and strengthening of the BRICS insurance ecosystem.
For India, the declaration reinforces its role as a bridge-builder while advancing priorities such as counter-terrorism, DPI, local-currency payments and development finance.
Its long-term significance will depend on converting broad political commitments into functional institutions, interoperable payment systems and sustained economic cooperation