BRICS issues New Delhi Declaration, as UAE and Iran back down from tough positions
PM chairs BRICS summit, says grouping not “against anyone”; holds hour-long meet with Chinese President Xi; declaration calls for “maximum restraint” in war with no specific mention of strikes; rebukes Israel
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Context
The 11-member BRICS grouping, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, successfully adopted the New Delhi Declaration after navigating a complex diplomatic impasse between Iran and the UAE regarding language describing the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The summit underscored BRICS' evolving role as a platform for emerging economies seeking a multipolar world order and a stronger voice in global governance, while carefully managing internal contradictions among its expanded membership.
UPSC Perspectives
International Relations
The adoption of the New Delhi Declaration highlights the delicate diplomatic maneuvering required within expanded multilateral forums. The tension between Iran and the UAE over the language condemning attacks in West Asia illustrates the internal contradictions within the newly expanded grouping (which recently added Iran, UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt). India's role in forging a consensus demonstrates its strategic autonomy and ability to act as a bridge between divergent interests, balancing its close ties with both Israel and Arab/Iranian partners. The declaration's call for 'maximum restraint' without explicitly naming aggressors reflects a classic compromise document typical of consensus-based organizations. Furthermore, the strong criticism of Israel regarding Gaza and support for the aligns with the traditional stance of the Global South, although India's agreement to this language, despite its growing strategic partnership with Israel, is a nuanced balancing act. This event is critical for Mains questions analyzing the effectiveness of post-expansion and India's role as a consensus builder in a multipolar world.
Global Governance
A core theme of the BRICS summit was the push for reforming the existing global architecture. The New Delhi Declaration explicitly called for 'comprehensive reform' of the , specifically advocating for an expanded where countries like India and Brazil have a greater role. This reflects the long-standing grievance of emerging economies that post-WWII institutions no longer reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Prime Minister Modi's proposal to build a 'troika' system, similar to the , aims to institutionalize continuity and strengthen BRICS' structural coherence, moving it beyond an annual talk shop. The proposal for a 'Global South mechanism for skill development' further positions the grouping as an alternative development partner for developing nations, challenging Western-dominated development finance models. From a UPSC perspective, this illustrates the shifting dynamics of global power and the concerted effort by non-Western nations to create parallel governance structures or significantly alter existing ones.
Economic
The economic dimensions of the declaration underscore a growing trend towards de-dollarization and resistance to Western economic statecraft. The resolution to increase intra-BRICS trade and payments in national currencies is a direct response to the weaponization of the US dollar through unilateral sanctions. By condemning 'unilateral coercive measures' (sanctions imposed without UN mandate), countries are signaling a unified stance against what they perceive as Western economic hegemony. The criticism of US tariffs further highlights the grouping's defense of open trade against rising protectionism in developed economies. This push for financial autonomy is crucial for Mains answers discussing the global economic order, the challenges to the dominance of the US dollar, and the economic implications of geopolitical realignments.