BRICS Summit Concludes in New Delhi With Adoption of New Declaration

The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi following the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026, according to reporting by Deccan Chronicle. The two-day gathering, held at Bharat Mandapam on 12–13 September 2026, brought together an expanded 11-member bloc representing nearly half of the global population as India wrapped up its chairship year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the concluding declaration as a reflection of a grouping that is wider in reach and stronger in purpose, built around the overarching theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.

As detailed in live reporting by the Times of India, the second day featured an open session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”. Leaders from member states and partner countries gathered to assess practical outcomes, including the establishment of a digital centre of excellence for smart grids and energy storage, alongside dedicated centres for agro-ecology and regenerative agriculture. Security across the national capital remained under strict supervision, with extensive deployments across key transit routes as foreign delegations moved between bilateral engagements.

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Bilateral diplomacy ran parallel to plenary sessions. Prime Minister Modi held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders reaffirmed that peace and tranquility along border areas remain essential for bilateral ties. According to Moneycontrol, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Modi and Xi agreed to address structural trade imbalances and expand common ground on global challenges. Modi also thanked China for its support during India's chairship year.

Wider regional cooperation also advanced during the summit. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev engaged in economic talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, exploring potential logistical hubs for agricultural exports, as reported by Qazinform. Meanwhile, public health priorities gained notable traction as World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended the bloc's commitment to universal health coverage and ongoing negotiations regarding pathogen access frameworks.

The institutional momentum of the bloc remained a central theme throughout the proceedings. India's overarching chairship theme, guided by the philosophy of humanity first, structured discussions across more than 350 meetings held across various cities throughout the year. Discussions at Bharat Mandapam addressed pressing geopolitical challenges, economic integration, and the necessity of aligning global governance architectures with contemporary realities. Leaders assessed hundreds of practical outcomes spanning multiple verticals, touching upon areas ranging from digital public infrastructure to agricultural innovation and maritime safety.

Global financial governance and institutional reform featured prominently in discussions among heads of state. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the forum, criticizing attempts to bypass established international legal frameworks and emphasizing the central role of the United Nations Charter. Alongside fellow permanent security council members, supporting statements underscored the aspiration of emerging economies like India and Brazil to secure expanded representation within multilateral institutions.

Attention now turns to the transfer of leadership, as China prepares to assume the rotating BRICS presidency for the coming year. The incoming presidency inherits a consolidated framework aimed at deepening practical cooperation among member states and partner nations alike.