BRICS Summit in India Concludes, Calls for Global South Representation

The BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded with leaders calling for reforms in global governance and greater representation for emerging and developing nations, including India and Brazil.

The summit emphasized inclusive global growth, resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India on September 12-13, 2026, focused on cooperation, maritime security, and the interests of the Global South. Chinese President Xi Jinping thanked Prime Minister Modi for hosting the summit and pushed for stronger multilateral cooperation, stating, "BRICS must rally Global South."

The New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed the BRICS commitment to a more representative, fair, and inclusive global order, advocating for stronger multilateralism and increased participation of emerging and developing economies in global decision-making. The grouping backed reforms of the United Nations, including the Security Council. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a clear pitch for an inclusive BRICS, stating the grouping is not against anybody and will seek to take everyone forward.

He called for an overhaul of global governance, asserting that Global South countries are impacted by decisions they are unable to shape. Modi stressed that the "Global South Must Become A Rule-Shaper." The summit served as a platform for one-to-one diplomacy, with leaders holding a series of bilateral meetings aimed at easing regional tensions. The grouping's intra-bloc merchandise trade has grown more than 13-fold, from $84 billion to an unspecified current figure.