Brasilia is not the capital — New Delhi was. The BRICS summit wrapped up with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, a 140-paragraph document that mapped out the grouping's unified position on some of the most pressing issues facing the developing world today. At its core, the declaration calls for coordinated action against terrorism, specifically targeting individuals and groups designated by the United Nations, while also flagging serious concerns about protectionist trade measures and energy sanctions that several member states argue are destabilizing.
The declaration is notable for its broad scope, addressing not just security but also the economic architecture that many Global South nations feel has long favored wealthy Western economies. On trade, member countries expressed unease about what they describe as unilateral tariff impositions that disrupt supply chains and hurt emerging markets disproportionately. On energy, the document points to sanctions regimes that have driven volatility in oil and gas markets, arguing instead for stable, predictable energy access as a foundation for growth.
Geopolitical conflicts also figured prominently. While the declaration avoids direct naming of any specific dispute, it calls for diplomatic solutions grounded in international law and respect for national sovereignty — language that aligns with positions held by several BRICS members on ongoing wars and territorial disputes worldwide.
Analysts note that the declaration's emphasis on multilateralism over unilateral action represents a clear message from the bloc, which now includes South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE alongside its founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and originally South Africa's restart. The document will serve as a reference point for future BRICS cooperation and signals to global institutions that the expanded grouping intends to push for reforms in areas from trade to climate finance.
The summit also touched on internal coordination mechanisms, with members agreeing to strengthen financial cooperation through existing institutions like the New Development Bank and explore further integration of payment systems to reduce reliance on Western-dominated financial networks.
