As walls rise, BRICS speaks, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, India, from September 12-13, 2026, under India's chairship.
• The summit unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, a 140-paragraph document addressing global issues.
• India successfully facilitated consensus among member states, including the newly expanded bloc of 11 nations, particularly on the West Asia conflict involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
• The Declaration expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East/West Asia, calling for maximum restraint and opposing actions that could worsen the situation.
• It included strong condemnation of unilateral sanctions, tariffs, and protectionism, and advocated for reforms in global governance institutions.

Detailed Insights:

• The New Delhi Declaration 2026 reaffirmed the political diversity of the BRICS forum, dispelling notions of it being an ideological front against the West. [Article content]
• India's 2026 BRICS chairship was guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• The expanded BRICS now comprises 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• The Declaration specifically addressed the situation in Gaza, calling for the maintenance of a ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and opposing the forced displacement of Palestinians.
• It also supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy for long-term peace.
• The Declaration called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions to ensure greater representation for developing economies.
• India's diplomatic efforts were crucial in achieving a unanimous declaration despite differing positions among members on various global conflicts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An international organization comprising 11 major emerging markets and developing countries, serving as a platform for cooperation on global and regional issues.
• Unilateral Sanctions: Penalties imposed by a single state without international consensus, aimed at influencing another state's policies.
• Protectionism: An economic policy that restricts imports through methods like tariffs and quotas to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
• Territorial Sovereignty: The principle that a state possesses exclusive authority over its geographical area, enabling it to govern without external interference.