Key takeaways from the recent BRICS Summit
Source: Hindustan Times | Original Published At: 2026-09-16 09:52:41 UTC
Key Points
- The 18th BRICS Summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration, calling for reforms of the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank to improve representation for developing countries.
- BRICS leaders opposed unilateral tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and coercive sanctions, while promoting local-currency trade settlements and cross-border payment frameworks rather than a common BRICS currency.
- Side talks between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled helped break a regional deadlock and enabled consensus on the summit declaration.
- The declaration condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack and reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, terrorism financing, and safe havens.
- BRICS advanced a Global South position on AI governance, rejected carbon border adjustment measures, and emphasized equitable climate finance, critical minerals, and fair energy transitions.
- India’s role was highlighted as a mediator and agenda-setter, with the summit framed as strengthening a multipolar, development-oriented BRICS agenda.