India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12-13 September 2026, and members adopted the New Delhi Declaration by consensus.
WHAT HAPPENED
India, which holds the BRICS chair in 2026, hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired it. The summit's theme centred on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Members adopted the New Delhi Declaration by consensus on 12 September, after negotiating differences between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict.
WHAT THE DECLARATION SAYS
- Reform: calls for reform of the UN Security Council and for changes in voting power and leadership of global financial institutions to reflect today's economy.
- Trade: opposes unilateral trade measures, including the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
- Payments: backs settlement of trade in local currencies and asks the BRICS Payment Task Force to keep working on practical cross-border payment solutions.
- Agriculture: sets up BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network), a non-binding, farmer-centric network.
- Transport: agrees to deepen cooperation on sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure.
- Security: condemns the Pahalgam terror attack and voices concern over West Asia, Gaza, Sudan and Syria. The text does not name the Russia-Ukraine war, which drew press comment.
INDIA'S PROPOSALS
Modi suggested a follow-up arrangement run by a troika of chairs, so that decisions carry over from one presidency to the next, and a secure online register that records deadlines and progress for every BRICS decision.
EXAM ANGLE
- BRICS chairmanship rotates every year; India also chaired in 2016 (Goa summit) and 2021 (virtual).
- The New Development Bank (NDB), set up by BRICS, is headquartered in Shanghai.
- Remember the 2026 theme and venue (Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi), and the name "New Delhi Declaration".
Published on 13 Sep 2026. Based on the PIB release and press reports (Business Standard, Wikipedia). Confirm membership details and the text of the declaration from the MEA or PIB before an exam.