The successful conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi under India's leadership, received praise from several member countries. The New Delhi Declaration was adopted, focusing on strengthening cooperation within the grouping and addressing the core needs of the Global South.
The 18th BRICS Summit, spanning two days and held in the National Capital under India's chairmanship, concluded yesterday. Comprising 11 major emerging economies that together represent nearly half the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP, the countries unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 on Saturday.
The Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among the world leaders attending. South Africa, Russia, China, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, and others welcomed India's efforts to strengthen cooperation within the grouping and advance the priorities of the Global South.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised India’s leadership as BRICS chair, stating that New Delhi successfully hosted the summit and managed to bring member countries together despite doubts over reaching consensus. He attributed the successful adoption of the declaration to collective efforts by all BRICS members, while congratulating India for its organisation and leadership.
China’s state media and leadership hailed the New Delhi Declaration as a positive step for higher-quality cooperation and solidarity among Global South nations.
Russia reaffirmed its dedication to an inclusive, development-oriented partnership with BRICS partner countries through a social media post by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They committed to strengthening Multilateralism and Multipolarity, upholding international law, including the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in their entirety.
Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin said the New Delhi Declaration addresses the core needs of the Global South and provides a practical framework for tackling shared global challenges. He highlighted issues such as environmental stability, peace, geopolitical pressures, trade, and artificial intelligence as affecting countries across regions, making the outcomes of the BRICS Summit relevant well beyond the grouping.
UN Chief António Guterres praised India’s BRICS Presidency and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India holding the BRICS chairmanship for the fourth time. The World Health Organisation (WHO) also praised the New Delhi Declaration.
The Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, appreciated the commitment to universal health coverage, resilient health systems, and the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement. He also praised the efforts of BRICS countries to end Tuberculosis (TB), strengthen the health workforce, digital health, integrate traditional medicine, and deliver health for all. Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm welcome at the summit.
A US-based analyst described India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit as a success, citing the substantive New Delhi Declaration as evidence of New Delhi's ability to build consensus among countries with differing views. Michael Kugelman, a Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, said the declaration reflects India’s growing convening power and the increasing appeal of the BRICS grouping.
Source:
Akashvani News
