BRICS New Delhi Declaration adopted at 18th Summit
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The 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026 under India’s chairship, adopted the New Delhi BRICS Leaders’ Declaration. Its theme was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. It calls for reform of the UN, including the Security Council, and of the IMF and World Bank, and backs a WTO-centred trading system.
- Summit
- 18th (XVIII) BRICS Summit
- Dates and venue
- 12 to 13 Sep 2026, New Delhi
- Chair
- India (BRICS Chairship 2026)
- Theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- Meetings under chairship
- over four hundred, in thirty cities
- Occasion
- 20th anniversary of BRICS
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration: what happened?
BRICS has expanded in recent years and also works with partner countries. Each year the chair hosts a summit and the leaders issue a declaration. In 2026 India chaired, in the year BRICS marks its 20th anniversary.
- Leaders reaffirmed cooperation under three pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people.
- They backed comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with more representation for developing countries.
- China and Russia reiterated support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.
- They urged reform of the Bretton Woods institutions and early entry into effect of the IMF’s 16th General Review of Quotas.
- They reaffirmed support for a rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and for WTO reform.
What does the declaration say on global governance?
- More meaningful participation of developing countries and LDCs, especially from Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Equitable geographical representation in the UN Secretariat and a larger role for women.
- It notes that no woman has ever been elected UN Secretary-General.
- It recognises the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration on African aspirations.
- It recalls the 1955 Bandung Conference principles of equality, independence, non-intervention and mutual benefit.
What does it say on money and trade?
| Area | Position |
|---|---|
| IMF | strong, quota-based IMF; 16th GRQ quota increases without delay; realignment under the 17th GRQ |
| World Bank | 2025 Shareholding Review; more voice for developing countries (Lima Principles) |
| WTO | WTO at the core; Most-Favoured-Nation and Special and Differential Treatment upheld |
| Leadership of IMF and World Bank | merit-based, inclusive, transparent selection with more regional diversity |
Which earlier documents does it build on?
| Document | Subject |
|---|---|
| 2023 Johannesburg-II Declaration | UN and Security Council reform |
| 2022 Beijing Declaration | China and Russia support for Brazil and India in the UN |
| BRICS Rio de Janeiro Vision | IMF quota and governance reform |
| UNGA Resolution 80/250 | trafficking of enslaved Africans as gravest crime against humanity |
| UNGA Resolution 79/115 (December 2024) | eradicating colonialism |
Why does the BRICS New Delhi Declaration matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| India’s diplomacy | A successful chairship with over four hundred meetings in thirty cities. |
| UN reform | China and Russia restate support for India’s larger UN role. |
| Global South | The declaration speaks for developing countries on representation. |
| Economy | Pushes IMF quota reform that would raise developing countries’ voting share. |
| Trade | Defends the WTO and special treatment for developing members. |
What are the challenges in the BRICS New Delhi Declaration?
- BRICS works by consensus, so wording is often general.
- IMF quota and Security Council reform need agreement far beyond BRICS.
- An expanded BRICS has more diverse interests to balance.
- Declarations need follow-up to show results.
What should be done next on the BRICS New Delhi Declaration?
- Push for the 16th GRQ quota increases to take effect.
- Carry the UN reform message into UN negotiations.
- Turn chairship outcomes into working programmes.
What can Prelims ask on the BRICS New Delhi Declaration?
- 18th BRICS Summit: New Delhi, 12 to 13 September 2026; India chaired.
- Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS.
- Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration: African positions on UN reform.
- 1955 Bandung Conference: equality, independence, non-intervention, mutual benefit.
How to write about the BRICS New Delhi Declaration in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Evaluate the significance of the 2026 BRICS New Delhi Declaration for reform of global governance and for India’s interests.
- Intro: 18th Summit, New Delhi, India’s chairship, 20th anniversary.
- Governance: UN and Security Council reform; China-Russia support for India and Brazil.
- Finance and trade: IMF quotas, World Bank shareholding, WTO.
- Limits: consensus wording, need wider agreement.
- Conclusion: voice of the Global South; follow-up needed.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-12): leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the XVIII BRICS Summit, 12–13 Sep 2026, theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".
- Shows India's agenda-setting as chair of an expanded BRICS.
Quotable data pointLeaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the XVIII BRICS Summit, 12–13 Sep 2026, theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".
PIB: PMO: BRICS New Delhi Declaration, 12 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: summit theme and pillars.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The theme of the 18th BRICS Summit (2026) was
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 12 Sep 2026.
The Ezulwini Consensus, referred to in BRICS declarations, relates to
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 12 Sep 2026: the declaration recognises African aspirations reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
Which BRICS document is linked to IMF quota and governance reform?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 12 Sep 2026: the declaration reaffirms the BRICS Rio de Janeiro Vision for IMF Quota and Governance Reform.
Questions students ask about this
Where and when was the 18th BRICS Summit held?
In New Delhi, on 12 and 13 September 2026, under India's chairship.
What was the theme of BRICS 2026?
"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".
What does the declaration say about the UN Security Council?
It supports comprehensive reform to make it more representative, and China and Russia reiterate support for a greater UN role for Brazil and India.
What are the three pillars of BRICS cooperation?
Political and security; economic and financial; cultural and people-to-people.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PMO: BRICS New Delhi Declaration, 12 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending