Key Takeaways from the 18th BRICS Summit (2026)

The 18th BRICS Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12 and 13 September 2026 under India's Chairship. Its theme was "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability". On 12 September, leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, a 140-paragraph document that sets out the bloc's positions on global governance, conflicts, trade, finance, technology and development. The summit also marked twenty years of BRICS. The main takeaways follow.

1. Consensus Despite Deep Divisions

The summit ended with a unanimous declaration, even though members were divided over the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States. In May 2026, the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi had broken up without a joint communiqué over the same issue, and India had to issue a chair's statement.

The sharpest gap lay between Iran and the UAE, which stand on opposite sides of the Gulf conflict. Negotiations reportedly continued until about 4 a.m. Agreement was reached through the phrase "recalling our respective national positions", which allowed members with different views to accept the same text. The leaders also reaffirmed the three pillars of BRICS cooperation:

• Political and security cooperation

• Economic and financial cooperation

• Cultural and people-to-people exchanges

India's presidency held more than 400 meetings and events in 30 cities during the year.

2. Reform of the United Nations

The leaders called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative and effective. They sought a larger role for developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America and stated that reform must give the Global South a stronger voice.

China and Russia, as permanent members of the Council, repeated their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council. The leaders also recognised the aspirations of African countries under the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

On the UN Secretariat, the bloc called for fairer geographical representation and more women in senior posts. With the selection of the next UN Secretary-General under way, the leaders pointed out that no woman has ever held the office, and that only one national from Latin America and the Caribbean, and two each from Africa and Asia, have served in it.

3. Changes Sought in the IMF and World Bank

The members reaffirmed the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Vision for IMF Quota and Governance Reform and backed a strong, quota-based and adequately resourced IMF. Their main demands were:

• Entry into effect, without further delay, of the quota increases agreed under the 16th General Review of Quotas

• Meaningful realignment of quotas under the 17th General Review at the earliest

• Higher quota and voting shares for emerging and developing economies, without cuts to the shares of the poorest members

• Merit-based and transparent selection of IMF and World Bank leaders, with wider regional diversity

The leaders described the 2025 World Bank Shareholding Review as an important tool for correcting the long-standing underrepresentation of developing countries.

At his closing press briefing, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the central message was support for a multipolar world and a multilateral system in which no single country dominates.

4. Defence of the WTO and Opposition to Unilateral Tariffs

The bloc voiced serious concern over the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and break WTO rules. It reaffirmed support for a rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its centre. The trade positions include:

• Immediate restoration of a fully functioning, two-tier WTO dispute settlement system and prompt appointment of Appellate Body members

• Opposition to carbon border adjustment mechanisms and other unilateral, protectionist measures presented as environmental policy

• Support for the WTO accession bids of Ethiopia and Iran

• Wider participation of developing countries in higher-value manufacturing, with technology transfer

• More resilient and stable supply chains

The leaders also acknowledged China's extension of zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries.

5. Rejection of Unilateral and Secondary Sanctions

The leaders condemned unilateral coercive measures that violate international law, including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions. They called for these measures to be eliminated and restated their opposition to sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council.

The bloc argued that such sanctions damage the rights of ordinary people to development, health and food security, hit the poor and vulnerable hardest, widen the digital divide and worsen environmental problems. No country was named, though international media widely read the section as a response to United States tariff and sanctions policy.

6. Restraint Urged in West Asia

The leaders expressed "deep concern" over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for "maximum restraint", without naming any country. Their demands were:

• Avoiding any action that could worsen the situation

• Protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure under the UN Charter

• Respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states

• Keeping trade, supply chains and energy flowing in line with applicable international law

• Working towards a long-term settlement through dialogue and diplomacy

The bloc also voiced serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full IAEA safeguards, and stressed that nuclear safety must be maintained even during war.

7. Gaza and Palestinian Statehood

The Palestine section is the most detailed part of the political text. The leaders expressed deep concern over continued violence in Gaza despite the October 2025 ceasefire and took the following positions:

• Maintenance of the ceasefire and full, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza

• An end to any policy of forced displacement of Palestinians, whether temporary or permanent

• Opposition to any geographic or demographic change to the Gaza Strip

• Condemnation of starvation as a method of warfare and of attacks on hospitals and other civilian sites

• Firm support for UNRWA and its mandate

• Rejection of unilateral steps to change the legal and historical status of Jerusalem, with respect for all holy sites

• A two-state solution with a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, including Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital

• Full UN membership for Palestine, and its representation in international financial institutions

The leaders also noted the International Court of Justice's provisional measures in South Africa's case against Israel. Iran and the UAE both accepted this section despite their positions in the regional war.

8. Lebanon, Syria and Sudan

On Lebanon, the bloc welcomed the ceasefire, condemned its violations and called on Israel to withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory. It condemned attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers and offered condolences for the deaths of four Indonesian peacekeepers and others, demanding accountability for those responsible.

On Syria, the leaders supported the country's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition under UN Security Council Resolution 2254, protection of minorities, and the withdrawal of occupying forces. They also raised concern over foreign terrorist fighters in the country.

On Sudan, the bloc voiced grave concern over the humanitarian crisis and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered aid, and the principle of "African solutions to African problems".

9. Cuba and Latin America

The leaders described Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace. They expressed deep concern over the tightening of the blockade against Cuba and its effects on the Cuban economy, energy supplies and population. The bloc called for an end to economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba, in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolution.

10. Military Spending and Nuclear Dangers

The bloc raised alarm over the sharp rise in global military spending, which it said comes at the cost of development finance for poorer countries. It also expressed concern over the growing risk of nuclear conflict and called for stronger disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation systems.

The leaders supported nuclear-weapon-free zones, including efforts towards a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. They also opposed an arms race in outer space and backed talks on a binding legal instrument to prevent it.

11. Terrorism and the 22 April 2025 Attack

The leaders condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, known as the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed and many more injured. They described all terrorist acts as criminal and unjustifiable and committed to fighting:

• Cross-border movement of terrorists

• Terrorism financing

• Safe havens

The bloc called for zero tolerance for terrorism, rejected double standards, and stated that terrorism must not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. It also urged early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN.

Pakistan was not named. India had blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Pakistan rejected the charge and called for an impartial investigation. The same attack had already been condemned in the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of July 2025 and the BRICS foreign ministers' statement of September 2025. Indian media paid close attention to China's acceptance of the paragraph.

12. Illicit Finance and Scam Networks

The leaders expressed concern over illicit financial flows, including terrorist financing, money laundering, arms and human trafficking, corruption and the misuse of virtual assets. They gave particular attention to organised scam networks and so-called scam compounds that exploit digital technology and payment systems.

To counter these threats, the bloc called for closer work among customs authorities, financial intelligence units, law enforcement, tax authorities and regulators, supported by better information-sharing, data analytics and training. The leaders also welcomed a BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery to pursue the proceeds of corruption.

13. Local Currencies Instead of a Common Currency

The summit did not create a common BRICS currency. The leaders instead acknowledged the work of the BRICS Payment Task Force on:

• Interoperability of cross-border payment and messaging channels

• Trade settlement and investment in BRICS local currencies

• Payments that are fast, low-cost, accessible, efficient, transparent and safe

The bloc accepted that there is "no one-size-fits-all approach" and that national priorities must be respected. This reflects continuing differences among members over how far to reduce reliance on the US dollar. The Financial Times observed that proposals for a sharper break from the dollar were set aside.

14. The NDB and Other Financial Arrangements

The New Development Bank, headed by former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, was described as entering its "second golden decade". The leaders encouraged the bank to expand local-currency financing, diversify funding sources and widen its membership, including faster review of applications from BRICS countries. A new BRICS-NDB Knowledge Portal was also launched.

Several other financial tracks moved forward, mostly at the discussion stage:

• Contingent Reserve Arrangement: amendments to its treaty to make the BRICS financial safety net more flexible in a crisis, and talks on bringing new members in

• New Investment Platform: continued technical work, including a proposed study group

• BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre: continued discussion on the concept of a voluntary platform for shared risk models and expertise

• BRICS Risk Lab: interest from members in taking forward talks on India's proposal to host it at GIFT City IFSC, Gujarat

• Jaipur Consensus: agreement to study an invoice discounting mechanism that would help export-oriented MSMEs access working capital

• BRICS Multilateral Guarantees: further technical work and possible pilot transactions

15. Energy Security and Climate

The leaders called energy security a foundation of social and economic development. They sought stable energy markets, uninterrupted supply and protection of critical energy infrastructure. They acknowledged that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role in the world energy mix, especially for developing economies, while backing "just, orderly, equitable and inclusive" energy transitions.

On climate, the bloc reaffirmed the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It called on developed countries to provide adequate finance and technology for adaptation, and supported Ethiopia's COP32 presidency. The leaders also stressed fair and sovereign control over critical minerals, with value addition in resource-rich countries.

16. Food Security and the Grain Exchange

The leaders described BRICS countries as major players in world food production and raised concern over food price volatility and fertiliser shortages. They welcomed further discussion on the design of the BRICS Grain Exchange and its possible extension to other agricultural products.

New agricultural initiatives include:

• BRICS AGRIN, a farmer-centred network on agro-inputs, genetic resources and information

• A Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture

• A BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

• A Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems

17. AI Governance as a Core Priority

Artificial intelligence is now one of the main areas of BRICS cooperation. The leaders pledged to implement the BRICS Leaders' Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and acknowledged India's AI Impact Summit of February 2026 and the World AI Conference in Shanghai. The agreed priorities are:

• Wider access to AI resources

• Safe, secure, reliable and trustworthy AI

• Energy-efficient AI systems

• Use of AI for growth and social good

• A fair share for the Global South in shaping global AI rules

The bloc also raised concern over the use of AI to misrepresent cultural heritage and knowledge that is poorly represented in training data, and supported fair payment to rights holders whose work is used to train AI.

18. Startups, Digital Infrastructure and Supply Chains

India's presidency produced several practical outcomes:

• BRICS Incubator Network, formally established

• BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, kept under consideration

• Digital public infrastructure repository, proposed for BRICS countries

• BRICS Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework, established

• BRICS Urban Mobility Hub, for urban transport solutions

• Cooperation on quantum technologies and shared research infrastructure

At the BRICS Business Forum on 11 September, Prime Minister Modi also presented a BRICS MSME Portal, asked businesses to identify barriers to intra-BRICS trade, and stressed the need for secure sea lanes.

19. New Health Initiatives

The leaders endorsed the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle and a roadmap for 2026 to 2029 to fight obesity and non-communicable diseases. They supported a BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on mental health, with India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) as the coordinating centre.

Other health commitments include joint work against tuberculosis, a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases, cooperation among medical regulators, and a proposed expert group on traditional and complementary medicine.

20. G20 and Other Multilateral Positions

The bloc described the G20 as the main forum for global economic cooperation and called for decisions by consensus, free from political pressure. It firmly backed South Africa's status as a founding and full member of the G20 and stated that any change in G20 membership must have the agreement of all members.

The leaders also welcomed the expansion of the ICAO Council and supported the candidacies of Ethiopia and Indonesia for its new seats.

21. India and China Move to Steady Ties

President Xi Jinping visited India for the first time in seven years. On 12 September, he and Prime Minister Modi discussed border stability, trade imbalances, market access and transport links. The meeting was seen as a careful step towards easing tensions between the two countries.

A day earlier, Modi and President Putin discussed trade, energy, defence and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and repeated their goal of US$100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

22. Iran and UAE Hold Top-Level Talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met on 12 September. Reuters described it as the highest-level contact between the two countries since the 2026 war began. The talks centred on regional stability and took place while negotiators were finalising the West Asia language of the declaration.

23. Partners, Outreach and Attendance

The leaders welcomed the role of the ten partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. They encouraged partners to take a larger part in BRICS work. The BRICS Plus outreach session on 13 September included the heads or representatives of:

• African Union, through Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye

• ASEAN, through Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

• Eurasian Economic Union, through Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

• CELAC, through Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin

Brazil was represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira rather than President Lula. Saudi Arabia, listed as a member in Indian and BRICS materials, sent Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, though Riyadh has still not publicly confirmed formal membership.

24. China to Lead BRICS in 2027

The leaders endorsed China's BRICS Chairship for 2027 and the holding of the 19th BRICS Summit in China. Beijing's view of BRICS as a counterweight to Western-led institutions differs from India's preference for a bridging role, and this difference is expected to shape the bloc's direction under the Chinese presidency.