Newsman: Brics leaders wrapped up their two-day summit in New Delhi on Sunday with calls for greater co-operation across the Global South as the bloc positioned a bigger voice in global affairs. Chinese President Xi called for further co-operation among what he described as the “greater Brics”, with China set to take over the group’s chairmanship next year and host its 19th summit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for stronger cooperation across the Global South as he warned that geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains and climate crises are increasingly affecting people worldwide.
The alliance reiterated support for a multipolar world order and U.N. reforms, including its Security Council, as well as global financial institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The leaders opposed unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures, and criticized sanctions not authorized by the U.N. They also criticized rising tariffs and nontariff barriers, saying they undermine global trade and supply chains.
The bloc backed greater use of local currencies in trade and stronger cross-border payment systems, and called for cooperation on food security, energy, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and climate action.
The group in a joint declaration Saturday expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and Sudan and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly framed the bloc as a vehicle for reform rather than an anti-western alliance. On Saturday, he said the Global South should become a “rule shaper, not a rule follower”, while calling for a shift from a “pyramid of privilege” towards a “platform of partnership”.
He said Brics now offered a platform where the concerns of developing countries could be heard and their experiences taken into account.
Addressing the BRICS summit of leading developing nations on its second and last day in New Delhi, Modi also warned that the “weaponization of technology and critical minerals” could hinder global development and shared prosperity.
“The number of conflicts and tensions in the world is increasing, increasingly impacting ordinary people,” Modi said, alongside bloc leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“Pandemics, climate disasters and supply chain disruptions have shown that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region,” Modi said, announcing the bloc agreed to establish an integrated early warning system for infectious diseases aimed at boosting preparedness and response to future outbreaks.
“I can say that the Global South countries’ confidence in Brics has grown, because within Brics: their voices are heard, their experiences are respected and solutions are developed not for them, but together with them,” Mr Modi said on the last day of talks.
He called for greater “co-operation” within the bloc, which represents nearly 50 per cent of the world’s population and 40 per cent of global gross domestic product.
“The strength of Brics lies in our diversity and co-operation,” Mr Modi told leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We may be rooted in different realities, but together we rise through co-operation and blossom for humanity.”
‘Greater Brics’
China’s President Xi said, members should maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains, and cultivate an integrated market. He proposed five initiatives on “greater Brics” co-operation in areas of artificial intelligence, trade and investment, digital industry, smart manufacturing and talent development, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese leader Xi urged the group on Saturday to play a peacemaking role in the Middle East, saying the Iran war does not serve the common interests of the international community.
During bilateral talks, Mr Xi and Mr Modi backed a strategic, long-term approach and agreed that differences should not become disputes, while discussing trade and business ties.
Also attending the 18th summit were Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
‘Maximum restraint’
On day one, leaders agreed on a joint declaration calling for “maximum restraint” in the Middle East, overcoming divisions that had prevented the group from issuing a joint statement at a meeting of foreign ministers in May.
“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia,” the joint statement said. The Brics countries “call for exercising maximum restraint”, it added.
Attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear sites in the region were condemned.
On Sudan, leaders expressed “grave concern over the deteriorating situation”, including the “worsening humanitarian crisis and the growing risk of proliferation of extremism and terrorism”.
The statement also urged all parties to ensure the maintenance of a ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza.
Brics was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining four years later. It has since expanded to 11 members. It has sought greater representation for developing countries in global institutions and promoted alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems.
The declaration was a significant breakthrough, as forging consensus among Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – which hold competing positions on key regional and geopolitical issues – posed a complex diplomatic challenge amid ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions.
Brics summit: Call for a multipolar world order and U.N. reforms, including its Security Council
