The Prime Minister’s Office has released the BRICS New Delhi Declaration following the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, 2026. The summit was attended by leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation. The declaration outlines the group’s priorities across governance, economic reform and sustainable development.
What the declaration covers
The leaders committed to strengthening BRICS cooperation across three areas: political and security matters, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They emphasised building a fairer international order and reforming the multilateral system to better represent emerging and developing countries.
India’s presidency in 2026 hosted over four hundred meetings and engagements across thirty Indian cities involving ministers, parliamentarians, business leaders and experts. The declaration welcomed this broad participation as strengthening BRICS partnership.
On global governance, BRICS members reiterated calls for:
- Greater representation of emerging markets and developing countries in UN decision-making and the UN Security Council
- Equitable geographical representation in the UN Secretariat and other international organisations, particularly at senior levels and for women leaders
- Reform of the UN Security Council to increase representation from Africa, Asia and Latin America
- A transparent selection process for the next UN Secretary-General, noting that no woman has previously held the post
On economic matters, the declaration called for reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions (the International Monetary Fund and World Bank) to make them more representative and accountable. BRICS members urged faster implementation of IMF quota increases and meaningful quota realignment to reflect developing countries’ growing share in the global economy.
The declaration also reaffirmed commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and noted a proposal by South Africa and Brazil to establish an international panel on inequality.
What this means for you
These declarations reflect India’s advocacy for a stronger voice for developing nations in global institutions. While such summits do not directly change policy, they signal India’s position on international reform and development priorities. Ordinary Indians may see indirect effects through India’s participation in discussions on trade, climate action, and development finance that flow from such cooperation frameworks.