The 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, took place amid growing international tensions and an increasingly diverse BRICS membership. Under its chairmanship, India focused on strategic autonomy, multi-alignment and dialogue, seeking to strengthen cooperation without turning BRICS into an anti-Western bloc.
India’s foreign policy combines strategic autonomy with relationships across different geopolitical groupings. This approach shaped its BRICS chairmanship, with New Delhi positioning the grouping as a platform for cooperation among countries with differing interests.
The New Delhi Declaration expressed concern over unilateral trade and economic measures while reaffirming an open and inclusive international trading system.
The expanded BRICS membership includes countries with differing positions on major geopolitical issues. The tensions involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates presented a challenge to India’s emphasis on dialogue.
The New Delhi Declaration called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy in addressing the West Asia crisis. The summit also produced a consensus document despite differences among members.
The declaration condemned terrorism and specifically denounced the April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. It called for action against terrorist financing and safe havens and renewed support for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
BRICS members also reiterated support for greater participation of developing countries in global decision-making, including reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Economic cooperation remained central to the summit. The declaration supports greater use of national currencies for trade and investment and continued work on interoperable cross-border payment and messaging systems.
It does not establish a common BRICS currency. Instead, the focus is on strengthening alternative mechanisms for cross-border transactions.
The summit placed significant emphasis on practical cooperation. Areas included a possible BRICS Grain Exchange, food reserves, climate-adaptive seeds and agricultural innovation.
Health cooperation covers digital healthcare, disease surveillance, vaccine research and preparedness for future health emergencies.
Technology also featured prominently, with the declaration supporting AI governance that is safe, inclusive, reliable and accessible to developing countries.
BRICS faces the challenge of maintaining cooperation as its membership and diversity expand. India’s chairmanship emphasized an approach based on engagement without rigid alignment and cooperation despite political differences.
The New Delhi Summit highlighted agriculture, health, technology, trade, energy, finance and climate action as areas where members can pursue common interests.
