BRICS leaders adopted the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026. The summit marked 20 years of BRICS cooperation and was held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration presents a broad agenda covering global governance, international security, trade, finance, technology, health, agriculture, climate change, space and people-to-people cooperation. For UPSC, APSC and other State PCS exams, it is important for International Relations, Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Security and Current Affairs.
What is the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026? Key Facts
The declaration reaffirmed the BRICS principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusiveness, collaboration and consensus.
BRICS also reaffirmed cooperation under three major pillars:
- Political and security cooperation
- Economic and financial cooperation
- Cultural and people-to-people cooperation
India’s 2026 chairship organised more than 400 meetings and engagements across 30 cities. It involved ministers, parliamentarians, officials, experts, businesses and civil society. The declaration also recognised the contribution of BRICS Partner countries and supported greater participation of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs).
BRICS New Delhi Declaration and Global Governance Reform
- A central theme of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration is reform of global governance. BRICS called for a more just, equitable, representative, democratic, accountable and effective multilateral system. The grouping reiterated its support for comprehensive UN reform, including reform of the UN Security Council.
- The declaration seeks greater representation of developing countries in global institutions. It also notes the aspirations of African countries under the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
- Importantly, China and Russia reiterated support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.
- BRICS also called for reforms in the Bretton Woods Institutions, including the IMF and World Bank. Their governance should reflect the changing global economy and give a greater voice to EMDCs.
The declaration also highlighted the Bandung Spirit of equality, independence, non-intervention and mutual benefit.
Global South and Sustainable Development
- BRICS reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and highlighted poverty and inequality as major global challenges.
- It also supported discussions on global inequality and noted a proposal by South Africa and Brazil for an international panel on inequality.
BRICS New Delhi Declaration on Peace, Security and Terrorism
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration expressed concern over geopolitical conflicts, rising military expenditure and growing nuclear risks.
- It called for strengthening disarmament, arms control and nuclear non-proliferation.
- BRICS strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and specifically condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack. It emphasised action against terror financing, terrorist safe havens, extremism and radicalisation, cross-border terrorism and misuse of technology by terrorists.
- It also rejected attempts to associate terrorism with any particular religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. The declaration recognised the role of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group.
- The declaration also welcomed the Guwahati Declaration of BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies to strengthen cooperation against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.
West Asia, Palestine and Nuclear Safety
- The declaration called for maximum restraint, dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts in West Asia.
- It stressed on protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. It also emphasised on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and continuity of trade, energy flows and supply chains. Moreover, it put strong emphasis on nuclear safety during armed conflicts.
- On the Palestine issue, BRICS supported a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian assistance. It opposed forced displacement and starvation as a method of warfare, and supported UNRWA. It also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, along with Palestinian self-determination, right of return and full UN membership.
BRICS New Delhi Declaration on Trade and Finance
- The BRICS New Delhi Declaration opposed unilateral protectionist and coercive economic measures that are inconsistent with WTO rules and international law.
- BRICS called for a fair and predictable trading system and resilient global supply chains. Moreover, it also emphasised on greater participation of developing countries in higher-value manufacturing, technology transfer. Furthermore, it also urged on productive capacity building and stronger trade and investment cooperation.
- The declaration also opposed punitive or discriminatory unilateral Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs).
Local Currencies and Cross-Border Payments
BRICS did not announce an immediate common BRICS currency. Instead, it supported practical financial cooperation through greater use of local currencies. It also aims to promote interoperability of national payment systems, faster, cheaper and safer cross-border payments. Moreover, it supports work by the BRICS Payment Task Force, local-currency financing through the New Development Bank. Furthermore, it proposed New Investment Platform. In addition. It also urged exploration of India’s proposed BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City.
Thus, the current BRICS approach focuses on payment interoperability and financial diversification rather than a common currency.
BRICS New Delhi Declaration: AI, Cybersecurity and Technology
Artificial Intelligence received significant attention in the BRICS New Delhi Declaration.
BRICS highlighted the need for:
- Inclusive access to AI
- Safe and trustworthy AI
- AI security and reliability
- Energy-efficient AI
- Greater participation of developing countries in global AI governance
The declaration also welcomed India’s hosting of the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
BRICS also addressed ICT security, cybercrime, malicious software, data security, misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes. Moreover, it called for common and interoperable rules and standards for ICT and supply-chain security.
Health, Agriculture and Food Security
The declaration gave considerable importance to global health. BRICS supported Universal Health Coverage, stronger disease surveillance and cooperation against pandemics, antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases.
It welcomed:
- BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for mass infectious diseases
- BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre
- Digital health cooperation
- Cooperation on medical-product regulation
- BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle
- BRICS Roadmap for Healthy Lifestyle Promotion 2026-2029
- BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence on mental health
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru, as the coordinating Centre of Excellence
- Cooperation in Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine
On agriculture, BRICS recognised its importance for global food security. It supported discussions on establishing a BRICS Grain Exchange, along with cooperation on food reserves, climate-resilient seeds and agricultural supply chains.
Space, Climate and Disaster Resilience
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration recognised the importance of peaceful space cooperation.
It appreciated the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) and highlighted cooperation in space technology, including efforts to reduce differences in space capabilities and address space debris.
On climate and disasters, BRICS supported stronger disaster-risk reduction systems, early-warning mechanisms and climate-resilient infrastructure.
It welcomed:
- BRICS Guidelines for Disaster Management Early Warning Data Integration
- BRICS Voluntary Principles for Climate-Resilient Urban Infrastructure
The declaration also reaffirmed commitment to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, including mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance for developing countries.
Industry 4.0, Science, Taxation and Urbanisation
The declaration strengthened cooperation under the Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).
It welcomed the BRICS Incubator Network and further consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. It also supported deeper cooperation among startups, SMEs and industries in advanced technologies.
BRICS also welcomed the proposed BRICS Science and Research Repository and cooperation in emerging fields such as quantum technologies.
On taxation, India promoted stronger cooperation among BRICS tax authorities. It promoted cooperation through initiatives such as the BRICS Tax Support Network, Tax Cross-Learning Lab and Tax Collaboration Tool.
In urban development, BRICS welcomed the BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network. Moreover, it also promoted cooperation on housing, water, sanitation, mobility, waste management and sustainable cities.
BRICS New Delhi Declaration: Women, Youth, Tourism and Sports
- The declaration recognised women as leaders and drivers of economic and social transformation. It supported women’s participation in governance, financial and digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, skill development, climate action and food security.
- It also welcomed BRICS Women’s Digital Capacity Building Guidelines.
- For youth, BRICS highlighted cooperation in education, skills, entrepreneurship, science and technology, health, sports, environment and social participation.
- Moreover, tourism cooperation will cover cultural, historical, nature-based, gastronomy and health tourism, with greater use of AI and digital tools.
- Furthermore, India proposed cooperation on sports technology and a BRICS Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave.
Conclusion
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026 strengthens BRICS cooperation across global governance, security, trade, technology, health, climate and sustainable development. Moreover, it reflects India’s growing role in shaping the priorities of the Global South. The declaration also pushes for reforms in global institutions and deeper cooperation among emerging economies. Therefore, UPSC, APSC and State PCS aspirants should understand its major initiatives and their significance for India’s foreign policy.
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The BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026 is the joint declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. It outlines cooperation on global governance, security, trade, finance, AI, health, agriculture, climate change, space and sustainable development.
The declaration supports India’s priorities such as UN Security Council reform, counter-terrorism, Global South representation and digital cooperation. Moreover, it promotes local-currency payments, AI governance, sustainable development and stronger cooperation among emerging economies.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration covers key UPSC and APSC topics, including International Relations, global governance, terrorism, economy, AI, climate change and sustainable development. Therefore, aspirants can use its major initiatives in Prelims, GS Paper II, GS Paper III and Essay preparation.
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