The declaration called for reforms in multilateral institutions, including a “structural update” of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), while strongly condemning terrorism.

New Delhi: BRICS leaders on Saturday adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the bloc’s summit in the national capital, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the consensus document at the conclusion of the meeting. The declaration called for reforms in multilateral institutions, including a “structural update” of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and strongly condemned terrorism. It also criticised “unilateral acts of war” and highlighted the need to protect seafarers and ensure the safety of commercial navigation amid ongoing military tensions in the Middle East. China and Russia, the two permanent members of the UN Security Council represented at the summit, reiterated their support for Brazil and India’s aspirations to have a greater role at the United Nations, including the Security Council. The BRICS declaration also encouraged greater use of local currencies for trade among member countries, reducing dependence on the US dollar. It specifically backed reforms of the UNSC to provide greater representation to developing nations from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Modi said the changing global order could not be managed effectively through outdated institutions and stressed the need for reforms in representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

“Today's discussion makes it evident that the changing world cannot be steered by outdated institutions; reforms are essential in representation, responsiveness and rule-making,” Modi said in his concluding remarks. He added that BRICS members had also stressed the importance of ensuring equal participation for the Global South in developing future technologies and shaping the rules governing them. “The New Delhi Declaration adopted today provides a clear direction for our shared resolve. It is now our responsibility to translate these resolutions into tangible results,” the Prime Minister said. Modi had earlier welcomed global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to the BRICS summit in New Delhi. The meeting brought together leaders from across the expanded BRICS grouping.

The declaration comes as BRICS marks 20 years since its formation and follows the bloc’s expansion beyond its original membership. On global trade, BRICS reaffirmed its support for reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) and called for an open, transparent, equitable and rules-based international trading system. The grouping expressed concern over the growing use of trade-restrictive measures, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers and protectionist policies linked to environmental objectives. According to the declaration, such measures could weaken global trade, disrupt supply chains and create greater uncertainty for international economic activity. “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. BRICS members also pledged to work towards making the WTO more responsive to trade disruptions and the concerns of emerging markets and developing economies. The grouping said it would support balanced and inclusive outcomes aimed at strengthening the multilateral trading system and addressing evolving global economic challenges.