Building consensus, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The 18th BRICS Summit emphasized reformed multilateralism and intra-BRICS trade cooperation.
• The New Delhi Declaration was adopted, showcasing consensus despite internal differences and global conflicts.
• India, as the chair, facilitated a high-level bilateral meeting between Iran and the UAE.
• The declaration called for United Nations Security Council reform and a greater role for India and Brazil.
• It condemned Western sanctions and tariffs, advocating for increased intra-BRICS trade in local currencies.

Detailed Insights:

• The summit's success was marked by high-level participation and the ability to forge a joint statement during a period of international conflict.
• The New Delhi Declaration presented BRICS as a formidable front in its 20th year, despite initial skepticism about internal divisions.
• Saudi Arabia's position remained ambiguous as its Foreign Minister arrived after the joint statement was adopted.
• The declaration recommended new initiatives for global governance and condemned unilateral wars without singling out any member.
• A compromise led to the omission of specific references to U.S.-Israel actions against Iran and Iran's retaliatory attacks.
• The declaration took a strong stance on Israel's actions in Palestine and Lebanon.
• India's fourth BRICS chairship bolstered its reputation as a Global South balancer, engaging with both sides of a divided world.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping to normalize ties.
• Modi also met with leaders from ASEAN and African nations, strengthening India's diplomatic engagements.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Reformed Multilateralism: The concept of updating and strengthening global institutions and international cooperation to address contemporary challenges more effectively.
• Global South: A term used to refer to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often characterized by developing economies and shared historical experiences.
• New Delhi Declaration: The official outcome document issued at the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit, outlining the group's collective stance on various global issues.