Does the BRICS Summit Signify a Shift for Indian Foreign Policy?

Source: The Hindu | Original Published At: 2026-09-17 20:00:00 UTC

Key Points

• The article examines whether the 18th BRICS Summit and the New Delhi Declaration indicate a shift in India's foreign policy.
• Experts describe BRICS as a political and multilateral platform where summit optics and consensus language can shape perceptions more than binding policy.
• The New Delhi Declaration dropped references to Ukraine after previous BRICS declarations had mentioned the conflict, with one commentator attributing the omission to Russian objections and consensus-building.
• The declaration includes strong language condemning Israel and references UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and a two-state solution, while commentators describe India's broader posture as balanced.
• The article discusses intra-BRICS trade and local-currency payment mechanisms, noting India's caution about a permanent BRICS payment system that could strengthen China's currency.
• Commentators argue that BRICS provides India a non-Western forum and amplifies the voice of the Global South, while also assessing its limited impact on global power structures.