New Delhi Declaration –  BRICS 2026

Why in news?

BRICS 2026 has been successfully chaired by India, with many strategic outcomes as highlighted in the consensual New Delhi Declaration.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims 

Mains, GS1, GS2, GS3.

The highlights of the New Delhi Declaration

The BRICS New Delhi Declaration provides a unified Global South response to acute global polarisation, climate vulnerabilities, supply chain disruptions, and food insecurity. By advocating dialogue over conflict, condemning unilateral sanctions, and championing reformed multilateral institutions (UN, WTO, IMF), it reinforces stability, economic resilience, and equitable global governance amidst ongoing international crises.

GS PAPER I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Society, and Geography

• Preservation and Repatriation of Cultural Heritage: Deepened institutional cooperation among museums, archives, and libraries to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural property and ensure the repatriation of antiquities and cultural artefacts to their countries of origin.
• Colonialism & Historical Justice: Welcomed UNGA Resolution 80/250 declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity. Advocated for the full implementation of UNGA Resolution 79/115 to eradicate colonialism in all its forms. 
• Combatting Social Discrimination: Reaffirmed joint action to eradicate racism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance while countering rising online hate speech, misinformation, and deepfakes.
• Climate-Related Disaster Management: Focus on handling complex disaster risks driven by climate change through indigenous knowledge, early warning systems, and community-led adaptation strategies.
• New Initiatives Declared in Delhi 2026 for the same:-
  • BRICS Artist Registry: Proposal to create a voluntary pilot database to support artists and facilitate cultural exchanges.
  • BRICS Principles for Integrated Landscape-Based Greening: Framework focused on land restoration, wildfire preparedness, and sustainable ecosystem management.
  • Establishment of the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub and the BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network. (Urbanisation)

GS PAPER II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

• United Nations & UNSC Reforms: Strongly advocated for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms to enhance representation for developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Reaffirmed support for Brazil and India’s aspirations for permanent UNSC seats.
• Committed to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda to ensure full, safe, and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes.
• Multilateral Governance Overhaul: Urged immediate governance and quota realignments at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to correct historical underrepresentation of Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDCs).
• International Peace & Security: Emphasises conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Calls for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and a viable two-state solution for Palestine, while condemning attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.
• WTO Reform & Free Trade: Strong stance against protectionist unilateral tariffs. Called for the immediate restoration of a fully functioning two-tier WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
• Counter-Terrorism & Anti-Corruption: Demanded zero tolerance for terrorism without double standards. Urged the swift adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
• Anti-Corruption & Transparency: Focuses on countering corruption through practical tools, asset recovery networks, tracing fugitive offenders, and promoting transparency in public administration.
• Audit and Public Accountability: Emphasises the role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in advancing accountability, good governance, and citizen-centric outcomes in public administration.
• New Initiatives Declared in Delhi 2026:-
  • BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery: Institutionalised mechanism to trace, recover, and return criminal assets linked to cross-border corruption.
  • Repository on Informal Cooperation for Tracing Fugitive Offenders: Mechanism designed to support extradition and track corruption fugitives.
  • SAIs Work Plan (2027–2028): Adopted to drive outcome-oriented, data-driven, and impact-focused auditing methodologies to enhance public governance efficiency.
  • BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for Mass Infectious Diseases: Sub-working group established to prevent and manage cross-border public health crises.
  • BRICS Mission & Roadmap for Healthy Lifestyle (2026–2029): Joint initiative to combat obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
  • BRICS Mental Health Centre of Excellence Network: Designated NIMHANS (India) as the coordinating hub for collaborative mental health research and policy.
  • BRICS Women’s Digital Capacity Building Guidelines: Voluntary digital repository to promote women-led development and digital inclusion.

GS PAPER III: Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

• Trade in Local Currencies & Interoperability: Called for fast, transparent, low-cost cross-border payments utilising local currencies while strengthening local settlement infrastructure.
• Critical Minerals & Industrial Supply Chains: Emphasised the creation of resilient, diversified, and fair supply chains for critical minerals necessary for green energy technologies while respecting state sovereignty over resources.
• Opposition to Carbon Border Taxes: Strongly opposed unilateral, discriminatory environmental trade measures like Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs).
• Space Security & PAROS: Urged negotiations for legally binding instruments to prevent an arms race or weaponisation of outer space (PAROS).
• New Initiatives Declared in Delhi 2026:-
  • BRICS Grain Exchange: Platform initiative to facilitate fair grain and agricultural commodity trading, ensuring global food security.
  • BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources, and Information Network): Farmer-centric network to share seed knowledge and agricultural resources.
  • BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage: Framework accompanied by the new BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids.
  • BRICS Startup Innovation Fund & Incubator Network: Catalytic financial mechanisms to support tech-driven startups and MSME growth under PartNIR.
  • BRICS CONNECT & Remote Employment: Introduction of BRICS CONNECT for capacity building and employability, alongside discussions on an International Digital Platform for Remote Employment.
  • India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies (ICBIC): Industrial platform designed to support Industry 4.0 adoption among MSMEs.
  • BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City (Gujarat): Proposed capability platform to strengthen the intra-BRICS reinsurance ecosystem and common risk modelling.
  • BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development: Platform aimed at addressing shared macro-economic, financial, and climate-finance challenges across EMDCs.
  • BRICS Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework: Multimodal initiative focusing on decarbonization, smart urban mobility hubs, and sustainable aviation fuels.
  • BRICS Space Council & RSSC Amendments: Institutionalising space debris mitigation protocols and expanding the Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation.
  • International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) Support: Explicit acknowledgement of India’s initiative for the global conservation of big cats.

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