The BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 11–13, 2026) brought together leaders from across the expanded bloc and partner nations, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India), President Vladimir Putin (Russia), President Xi Jinping (China), President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi (Egypt), President Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (Ethiopia), President Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia), Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan (UAE), and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), among others.
| Country/Institution | Leader/Representative | Delegation Notes |
| India | PM Narendra Modi | Host nation, chaired the summit. |
| Russia | President Vladimir Putin | Stayed at ITC Maurya; bilateral with Modi. |
| China | President Xi Jinping | Largest delegation (~400); stayed at Taj Palace. |
| South Africa | President Cyril Ramaphosa | Delegation at The Lalit. |
| Egypt | President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi | Delegation at Sheraton New Delhi. |
| Iran | President Masoud Pezeshkian | Delegation at The Oberoi. |
| Ethiopia | PM Abiy Ahmed Ali | Hosted at The Oberoi. |
| Indonesia | President Prabowo Subianto | Attended as a BRICS partner. |
| Malaysia | PM Anwar Ibrahim | Attended as an outreach partner. |
| UAE | Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan | Delegation at Leela Palace. |
| Saudi Arabia | FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud | Represented the Kingdom. |
| Brazil | FM Mauro Vieira | Represented Brazil. |
| Vietnam | PM Le Minh Hung | Attended as a partner nation. |
| Other Invitees | Leaders from Uruguay, Philippines, Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan | Delegations spread across Taj Mahal Hotel & Oberoi. |
| International Orgs | UN Sec‑Gen António Guterres, WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, AIIB Chairman Zhu Jiayi | Attended as institutional partners. |
- 25 delegations attended, including 11 BRICS members and 10 partner countries.
- India used its chairship to push reforms in global governance and highlight MSME development.
- Security was tight: 15,000 police personnel and 200 paramilitary companies deployed across Delhi.
BRICS calls for a multipolar world: New Delhi Declaration sets bold reform agenda
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026 was unanimously adopted on September 12, 2026, at the 18th BRICS Summit in India. It emphasises reforming global institutions, condemns terrorism, rejects unilateral sanctions and acts of war, and calls for stronger Global South representation in global governance.
Key Highlights of the New Delhi Declaration 2026
1. Institutional Reform
- United Nations Security Council: Calls for a structural update to make it more representative of developing nations.
- G20: Rejects any revision of membership without consensus, reaffirming support for South Africa’s full participation.
2. Peace and Security
- Middle East Conflicts: Urges dialogue and diplomacy, condemns unilateral acts of war, and stresses safeguarding shipping routes.
- Terrorism: Condemns the Pahalgam terror attack “in the strongest terms,” pledges zero tolerance, and rejects double standards in counterterrorism.
3. Economic and Trade Cooperation
- Sanctions & Tariffs: Criticises unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures, particularly those imposed by the U.S. against Russia and Iran.
- Global South Representation: Advocates for a multipolar order and fairer globalisation with stronger participation from emerging economies.
4. Thematic Priorities
- Summit Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
- Focus Areas: Energy security, health cooperation, financial stability, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.
Comparison of Major Positions
| Issue | Declaration Position | Implication for Global South |
| UN Reform | Structural update of UNSC | Greater African & EMDC representation |
| Terrorism | Zero tolerance, no double standards | Stronger collective security stance |
| Trade | Rejects unilateral sanctions/tariffs | Protects emerging economies from coercion |
| Diplomacy | Dialogue & diplomacy over aggression | Promotes peaceful conflict resolution |
| Global Governance | Multipolar order, fairer globalisation | Amplifies Global South’s voice |
Why It Matters for Botswana & Africa
- Equal Participation: The declaration strengthens Africa’s demand for fair representation in global institutions.
- Economic Opportunities: Calls for inclusive globalisation could open new trade and investment channels for Botswana.
- Security Cooperation: A stronger BRICS stance against terrorism aligns with regional anti-terrorism priorities.
