By Gabriel Ameh
BRICS leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving global conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, as the bloc adopted the New Delhi Declaration at its 18th Leaders’ Summit.
Briefing journalists after the summit, Secretary (Economic Relations) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs and India’s BRICS Chair, Shri Sudhakar Dalela, said member countries agreed that peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for the UN Charter and diplomatic engagement should guide efforts to address international tensions.
Dalela said the grouping had “very clearly articulated its preference for dialogue and diplomacy” as a guiding approach to tensions and conflicts, with the position reflected in several provisions of the New Delhi Declaration.
He said BRICS members reached consensus on issues concerning West Asia, stressing that lasting peace, security and stability could only be achieved through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
According to the official, India’s BRICS chairship provided a platform for member countries to present their national positions openly while working through differences by dialogue and consensus-building.
He noted that reaching common positions on sensitive geopolitical issues demonstrated BRICS’ ability to bridge differences among countries with different political, economic and development experiences.
The summit also reaffirmed the bloc’s support for reform of global governance institutions, particularly the United Nations and the UN Security Council.
Dalela said the New Delhi Declaration supports a stronger role for emerging and developing countries in international affairs, including countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The declaration also recognises the aspirations of African countries in the UN reform process and reiterates BRICS’ support for a greater role for India and Brazil in the United Nations, including the Security Council.
On BRICS expansion, Dalela said Egypt, despite being a relatively new member, had actively participated in the bloc’s activities and supported India’s chairship priorities.
He said Egypt had contributed to consensus-building across various sectors and was expected to play a greater role in future BRICS cooperation.
Beyond geopolitical issues, the summit placed significant emphasis on development cooperation, with India’s chairship focusing on areas considered to have a direct impact on citizens, including trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, technology and innovation.
Dalela said the New Delhi Declaration and its accompanying fact sheet recorded more than 50 practical outcomes achieved during India’s chairship across resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
He said development cooperation remained central to BRICS’ engagement with the Global South, with member countries sharing experiences and best practices aimed at tackling common challenges and promoting inclusive growth.
The BRICS leaders also condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year, reaffirming the bloc’s opposition to terrorism.
Reflecting on India’s year-long chairship, Dalela said the country organised more than 350 meetings across 22 ministerial tracks and working groups, covering a broad range of areas of cooperation.
He said the chairship also involved governments, businesses, academics, youth groups, civil society organisations and local communities through activities held in more than 30 cities across India.
Dalela described the tenure as a “people-centric chairship,” highlighting initiatives including the BRICS Solidarity Run, BRICS Film Festival, BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Artisan Bazaar.
He said India also used its chairship to showcase its experience in digital public infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, disaster resilience and traditional knowledge systems.
According to Dalela, the success of a BRICS chairship should be measured not only by the number of meetings held but by the quality of participation, consensus achieved and practical outcomes delivered.
He said the New Delhi Declaration and outcomes recorded during India’s chairship had provided a foundation for the next phase of BRICS cooperation.
The official thanked BRICS members and partner countries for their participation, describing the New Delhi Declaration as a reflection of partnership, solidarity and consensus-building, while reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to peace, development and a more representative global order.
