Brics New Delhi Declaration adopted: Terrorism, conflict resolution, tariff concerns addressed; key points | India News

The adoption comes after reports of late-night negotiations that continued until 4 am, as India led efforts to bridge differences between the UAE and Iran.

NEW DELHI: The Brics countries on Saturday unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi. The 45-page declaration, comprising 140 points, was discussed under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation to Promote Fair Competition, including in Renewable Energy Markets”, with the aim of supporting sustainable energy transitions.“No member has raised any objection. The New Delhi Declaration 2026 is adopted unanimously,” PM Modi said at the summit.The declaration focused on condemning terrorism, conflict prevention and peaceful resolution of disputes, stronger multilateralism and concerns over unilateral trade measures.PM Modi, in his separate opening remarks, called for reforms in global governance and proposed 10 measures to be developed into a Brics reform roadmap. He also called for greater representation of the Global South in international decision-making, describing the existing system as a “pyramid of privilege” that should become a “platform of partnership”.The declaration was adopted on the first day of the two-day Summit being hosted by India in New Delhi. The joint declaration came after intensive negotiations that continued until 4 am on Saturday, with India leading efforts to bridge differences between the UAE and Iran over the Middle East conflict. The talks followed an earlier Brics foreign ministers’ meeting under India’s presidency that ended without a consensus, prompting prolonged negotiations to ensure the summit resulted in a joint statement.India is chairing Brics in 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

Key points of the declaration

The Declaration addressed various key issues and concerns affecting the global order, such as:TerrorismBrics strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, terrorism financing and safe havens, condemned the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and called for zero tolerance, accountability and early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. “We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” it said.“We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law,” it continued, adding, “”We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism.“Brics cooperationThe bloc reaffirmed its commitment to mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, inclusiveness and consensus, and pledged to strengthen cooperation across its three pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation. “We commend India for hosting the Outreach/BRICS Plus Dialogue segment of the 18thBRICS Summit, which injects new impetus to strengthen international cooperation andsolidarity,” it further statedConflict preventionBrics countries stressed the importance of efforts to prevent conflicts, including by addressing their root causes. The declaration reaffirmed a commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy. Brics further urged all parties to uphold the Gaza ceasefire and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid, opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians, and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state based on the internationally recognised 1967 borders.“We express deep concern over the ​continued escalation of tensions in Middle East…call for exercising maximum restraint…avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.”Drugs and arms traffickingBrics expressed concern over illicit financial flows linked to drug-related crimes, firearms trafficking, terrorism financing and organised crime, and called for stronger cross-border cooperation to trace and disrupt criminal proceeds. “We express our concerns about illicit financial flows including, financing of terrorism, trafficking of firearms, trafficking in persons, the laundering of drug related crimes proceeds,” the declaration said.Tariff concernsBrics voiced concern over unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, warning they could hurt global trade and disrupt supply chains. “We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules,” the declaration said.It reaffirmed support for a WTO-centred multilateral trading system and called for the immediate restoration of a “fully functioning, two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement mechanism”, along with the appointment of new Appellate Body members. The bloc also condemned unilateral economic and secondary sanctions. “We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law,” the declaration said, calling for their elimination as they “undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.”It also backed Ethiopia and Iran’s WTO membership bids and noted China’s move to extend zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties.Energy security and transitionThe declaration called for stronger energy security through diversified energy sources, resilient infrastructure and stable markets, while recognising that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role, particularly for emerging and developing economies. “We acknowledge fossil fuels will still play an important role in the world’s energy mix, particularly for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs),” it said. It also backed “just, orderly, equitable and inclusive energy transitions” and a technology-neutral approach covering renewables, nuclear energy, hydropower, hydrogen, fossil fuels and low-carbon technologies.Women’s empowermentBrics recognised women as leaders, decision-makers and drivers of economic growth and social transformation, stressing their participation in governance, economic life, peacebuilding and climate action.“We affirm that women’s participation in governance; their financial and digital inclusion; their capacity building, access to skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities, support to entrepreneurship, access to productive and social services and their crucial role in climate action, food security and nutrition, which are interconnected is key for sustainable development,” the declaration said.“We also recognise the importance of policies that support women’s full participation in economic life, including through appropriate care policies, in accordance with national circumstances,” the leaders further said.Local currencies’ pushBrics backed efforts to promote cross-border payments and trade settlements using member countries’ local currencies, while respecting national priorities. “We acknowledge the work done to study the cross-border interoperability of payment and messaging channels, and the discussions on promoting trade settlements and investments using BRICS local currencies,” the declaration stated.Supporting India’s role in UNSCBrics reaffirmed support for reform of the UN, including the Security Council, to make it more democratic and representative and give developing countries a greater role. China and Russia, as permanent members of the Security Council, reiterated their support for Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council. “China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterate their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council,” the declaration said.