Why in News?

• BRICS members adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit after marathon negotiations, particularly over the language concerning the West Asia conflict.
• Consensus was significant as BRICS foreign ministers had failed to issue a joint statement in May amid differences between Iran and the UAE.
• India, as the host and chair, played a crucial diplomatic role in reconciling divergent positions and ensuring that geopolitical disagreements did not derail the summit outcome.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• West Asia
• Terrorism - Significant Indian Diplomatic Gain
• Trade - Opposition to Unilateral Protectionism
• De-dollarisation - Practical Steps, No Common Currency
• AI and Global South
• Indian Imprint on the Declaration
• Conclusion

West Asia:

• Consensus without attribution: Rather than assigning responsibility for the conflict, BRICS adopted broader language acceptable to competing positions within the grouping. The declaration calls for -
  • Maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that aggravate the conflict.
  • Dialogue and diplomacy for a durable peace.
  • Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
  • Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
  • Continuity of trade, supply chains and energy flows.
• Nuclear security and safeguards: BRICS also expressed serious concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and stressed the need for nuclear safety even during armed conflicts.
• Gaza and Palestine: BRICS called for -
  • Maintenance of the ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.
  • Opposition to forced displacement of Palestinians.
  • Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
  • Opposition to starvation as a method of warfare.
  • Support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
  • A two-state solution, with a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.
  • Palestinian self-determination, right of return and full UN membership.
• Lebanon: The declaration also called for adherence to the Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from remaining Lebanese territory and an inclusive political transition in Syria.

Terrorism - Significant Indian Diplomatic Gain:

• BRICS strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 people were killed.
• It highlighted terror financing, safe havens, extremism and radicalisation among youth, international counter-terrorism cooperation, zero tolerance for terrorism, and rejection of double standards in countering terrorism.
• Terrorism should not be associated with any particular religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. It also recognised the role of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG).
• For India, explicit reference to cross-border terrorism is particularly important given the divergent positions among BRICS members on terrorism-related issues.

Trade - Opposition to Unilateral Protectionism:

• Against the backdrop of rising tariffs and trade tensions, 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 conducive to sustainable development.
• The declaration also opposed unilateral carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) where they are punitive, discriminatory or protectionist.
• This reflects a broader BRICS objective of reducing vulnerability to unilateral economic and financial measures and strengthening the voice of developing economies in global economic governance.

De-dollarisation - Practical Steps, No Common Currency:

• BRICS did not announce a common BRICS currency. Instead, it adopted a gradual approach towards greater use of local currencies.
• Key priorities include:
  • Interoperability of national payment systems.
  • Faster, cheaper and safer cross-border payments.
  • Greater use of local currencies for trade and investment.
  • Technical work by the BRICS Payment Task Force.
  • Expansion of local-currency financing by the New Development Bank (NDB).
  • Continued work on a proposed New Investment Platform.
  • Exploration of India's proposed BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City.
• Thus, the focus is on payment-system interoperability and financial diversification rather than an immediate common currency.

AI and Global South:

• BRICS identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as both an economic opportunity and a governance challenge for the Global South.
• It emphasised inclusive access to AI resources, safety and security, reliability and energy efficiency, trustworthy and inclusive AI, and greater participation of developing countries in global AI governance.
• The grouping also welcomed India's hosting of the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

Indian Imprint on the Declaration:

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A proposed BRICS repository for DPI and pilot projects could facilitate sharing of India's DPI experience with partner countries.
• Health: The declaration supports a BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence on mental well-being, with NIMHANS, Bengaluru, serving as the coordinating centre.
• Industry 4.0: An India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies will support manufacturing firms and small businesses in adopting Industry 4.0 and advanced digital technologies.
• Development cooperation: Other initiatives include -
  • BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development.
  • BRICS–New Development Bank Knowledge Portal.
  • Cooperation on infrastructure and public-private partnerships.
  • Strengthening the BRICS insurance ecosystem.

Conclusion:

• The New Delhi Declaration demonstrates BRICS' attempt to function as a platform for Global South cooperation amid geopolitical fragmentation.
• For India, the summit strengthened its image as a bridge-builder among competing geopolitical interests, while advancing priorities such as counter-terrorism, DPI, local-currency payments, and development cooperation.
• The summit highlights BRICS' aspiration to reshape a more representative, multipolar global order. Its effectiveness will depend on converting broad political declarations into interoperable institutions, financial mechanisms and sustained cooperation.