BRICS Negotiators Work Late Into Evening To Arrive At A Consensus For ‘Delhi Declaration’, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, with negotiators working to finalize the Delhi Declaration.
• Consensus on the Delhi Declaration was stalled due to disagreements over references to the conflict involving Iran, the U.S., Israel, and the UAE.
• India, as the host nation, aimed to forge a joint statement, with Prime Minister Modi emphasizing its importance in bilateral discussions.
• Leaders from eight BRICS nations attended, while Brazil and the UAE sent high-level representatives.
• The summit aimed to address challenges faced by the Global South amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Detailed Insights:

• The primary hurdle for the Delhi Declaration was the inclusion of language regarding the "war in Iran started by the U.S. and Israel" and "Iran’s attacks on installations in the United Arab Emirates".
• Iran advocated for a clear condemnation of U.S. and Israeli actions, while the UAE sought "equal condemnation" of Iran's actions, which Iran contested as self-criticism.
• This diplomatic impasse had previously led to a Chair's Summary being issued instead of a joint statement at earlier BRICS ministerial meetings in 2026.
• Prime Minister Modi engaged in bilateral talks with leaders, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to build consensus for the joint statement.
• The participation of leaders from 11 emerging economies underscored their collective commitment to BRICS despite significant geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties.
• The summit provided an opportunity for India to focus on solutions for the Global South by leveraging the combined strengths of member nations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An acronym for a group of major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which has expanded to include other nations.
• Delhi Declaration: The official outcome document or joint statement issued by the BRICS leaders at the conclusion of their summit in New Delhi.
• Global South: A term used to refer to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often characterized by developing economies and shared historical experiences.
• Sherpa meetings: Preparatory meetings where high-level representatives of heads of state or government negotiate the agenda and draft outcome documents for international summits.