BRICS Leaders Conclude 18th Summit in New Delhi with Focus on Global South and Economic Resilience

The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi, India, with member nations issuing a joint declaration calling for cooperation, inclusive global economic growth, and maximum moderation regarding the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit brought together the 11 member states and several partner nations to discuss resilience, innovation, and sustainability. The group, which now represents approximately half of the world's population and 40 percent of global GDP, reaffirmed its support for an open and non discriminatory multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the risks of the weaponization of technology and critical minerals, noting that such actions hinder shared progress. To address global vulnerabilities, the bloc agreed to establish an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases and a logistics supply chain cooperation framework. Other initiatives include the BRICS CONNECT platform for skills mapping and workforce development, a network for digital agriculture, and a proposed startup innovation fund.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi conducted extensive bilateral meetings. He met with Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. who attended as the incoming ASEAN chair for 2026, to discuss defense, trade, and security. Modi also held talks with leaders from South Africa, Ethiopia, Burundi, Nigeria, and Uganda to strengthen ties with the African continent and the Global South. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed an open source artificial intelligence community and a forum on trade in services, while Russian President Vladimir Putin described the bloc as a force for a more multipolar global order.

Perspectives on the summit's outcomes varied by political lean. Center left outlets emphasized the strategic necessity for India to balance its BRICS membership with its ties to the West, specifically noting the challenges of de dollarization. Center right outlets focused on the diplomatic achievements of the Indian government and the specific bilateral gains made with African and Southeast Asian partners. Center outlets highlighted the underlying tensions between India and China that persisted despite the public calls for cooperation.