Key highlights from BRICS New Delhi Declaration
What's the story
The BRICS leaders adopted the "New Delhi Declaration" at their 18th summit in New Delhi. The 140-point document outlines the group's stance on global issues including conflicts, terrorism, trade, climate change, technology, and development. It supports India and Brazil for a larger role in the United Nations (UN) and opposes Israel's actions in Gaza.
Key resolutions
Declaration condemns 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir
The declaration strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people.
It also expressed concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Further, BRICS backed Palestine's full membership in the UN and a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Trade concerns
Opposes protectionism, unilateral economic sanctions
The declaration raised concerns over rising unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, which it said distort trade and violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
It opposed protectionism disguised as environmental policy and condemned unilateral economic sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council.
BRICS reaffirmed support for WTO reform to ensure an open, transparent, fair global trading system with the WTO at its core.
Financial initiatives
Supports trade settlements in local currencies
The declaration supported greater interoperability between cross-border payment systems and encouraged trade settlements in BRICS local currencies.
It also expressed interest in India's proposal to set up a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City's International Financial Services Centre under a voluntary BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre.
On AI governance, BRICS committed to implementing the Leaders' Statement on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.
Conservation efforts
Endorses India's initiative for International Big Cats Alliance
The declaration endorsed India's initiative to form an International Big Cats Alliance and encouraged member countries to cooperate on big-cat conservation.
It also expressed condolences over the deaths of four Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The document calls for Israel to respect agreements with Lebanon and withdraw occupying forces from Lebanese territory.