BRICS 2026: THE NEW DELHI DECLARATION — FROM VISION TO ACTION
Can BRICS turn the voice of the Global South into practical power?
INTRODUCTION
Yesterday we asked:
Can the Global South build a new world order?
Today we have something concrete to examine—the New Delhi Declaration 2026, unanimously adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit.
The declaration is significant not merely because of its length or the number of issues it covers, but because it attempts to articulate a vision of a world that is more representative, inclusive, multipolar and development-oriented. �
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But declarations are easy.
Implementation is the real test.
1. FROM FIVE COUNTRIES TO A MUCH LARGER BRICS
BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later.
It has now expanded to 11 members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE.
The enlargement gives BRICS much greater geographical reach and a stronger claim to represent developing countries.
But enlargement also creates a challenge:
Can countries with very different political systems, economic interests and geopolitical priorities act together?
The New Delhi Summit provided an encouraging answer—but not a definitive one.
2. A MORE REPRESENTATIVE WORLD ORDER
One of the central themes of the declaration is reform of global governance.
BRICS argues that international institutions created in an earlier era must better reflect today's distribution of population, economic power and political influence.
The demand for reform of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions therefore remains central.
India has long argued that developing countries need a greater voice in global decision-making.
The significance of BRICS is that this argument is increasingly being made collectively.
3. TRADE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE DEPENDENCE
Another important theme is economic cooperation.
BRICS countries want:
stronger intra-BRICS trade
more resilient supply chains
improved cross-border payment systems
greater use of local currencies
expanded investment
cooperation in critical minerals.
This does not necessarily mean an immediate abandonment of the US dollar.
Indeed, the summit showed that BRICS countries themselves have different approaches to the question.
The more realistic immediate objective may therefore be:
greater choice rather than complete replacement.
4. TECHNOLOGY COULD BECOME THE GAME-CHANGER
This may ultimately prove one of the most important parts of the BRICS agenda.
Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, digital infrastructure, scientific research and advanced manufacturing are increasingly becoming sources of national power.
China's proposal for a BRICS AI Open Source Zone is therefore particularly interesting. �
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Imagine what could happen if countries pooled scientific talent, computing resources, datasets and research capabilities.
BRICS could potentially become not merely a political grouping but a knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
That is a much more ambitious proposition.
5. LOOKING TOWARDS THE STARS
BRICS cooperation is also entering space.
The grouping is developing a remote-sensing satellite constellation involving several member countries, while a proposed BRICS Space Council could provide a framework for deeper cooperation. �
The Indian Express
Earth observation can contribute to:
🌾 agriculture
🌊 disaster management
🌳 environmental monitoring
🌡️ climate research
🚨 early-warning systems
🛰️ scientific research
Space cooperation could therefore produce very practical benefits for ordinary people.
6. ENERGY SECURITY AND CLIMATE
BRICS has taken a pragmatic position on energy.
The declaration supports an orderly transition towards cleaner energy while acknowledging that developing economies cannot simply abandon existing energy sources overnight. �
The Indian Express
This reflects a fundamental reality:
The energy transition must be both green and affordable.
For much of the developing world, access to reliable energy remains a prerequisite for development.
7. HEALTH SECURITY
The proposal for an early-warning system for infectious diseases is another example of potentially practical cooperation. �
AP News
The COVID-19 experience demonstrated that infectious diseases do not respect national boundaries.
A disease detected early in one country can potentially be contained before becoming a global crisis.
Scientific cooperation therefore becomes not merely desirable—but essential.
8. THE MIDDLE EAST: DIPLOMACY UNDER PRESSURE
The summit also took place amid severe geopolitical tensions.
BRICS members have very different relationships with the countries and conflicts of the Middle East.
Yet the grouping managed to adopt a common declaration calling for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions.
The engagement between Iran and the UAE was particularly noteworthy. �
Reuters
This demonstrates both the potential and limitation of BRICS
It can provide a table around which countries with competing interests can talk.
But talking is not the same as solving conflicts.
9. THE BIG QUESTION: CAN BRICS STAY UNITED?
This is perhaps the most important question of all.
BRICS contains:
major economic powers
energy exporters
manufacturing giants
developing economies
countries with competing geopolitical interests.
India and China, for example, have their own complex strategic relationship.
Iran and the UAE have their own regional differences.
Russia and Western countries remain locked in major geopolitical confrontation.
Therefore BRICS unity cannot be taken for granted.
Its strength may ultimately lie not in complete agreement, but in learning how to cooperate despite disagreement.
10. FROM DECLARATION TO DELIVERY
Prime Minister Modi has already emphasised the need to translate the New Delhi Declaration into time-bound actions. �
Babushahi.com
That is exactly the right test.
The world does not need another collection of beautifully worded declarations.
It needs:
projects.
institutions.
technology.
trade.
jobs.
health security.
energy security.
food security.
peace.
If BRICS can deliver these, its influence will grow naturally.
CONCLUSION
The New Delhi Declaration 2026 does not create a new world order overnight.
Nor does BRICS represent a perfectly united bloc.
But something important is happening.
Countries representing a very large share of humanity are increasingly asking whether the institutions, financial structures and decision-making mechanisms of the 20th century adequately represent the realities of the 21st.
The answer they are attempting to construct is cooperation, diversification, technological capability and greater representation of the Global South.
The future of BRICS will therefore depend less on its rhetoric and more on its ability to deliver.
The real question is no longer:
“Can BRICS challenge the existing world order?”
It is:
“Can BRICS build something useful enough that the world wants to join it?”
That is the experiment now beginning.
🌏 A FINAL THOUGHT
A new world order cannot be created merely by replacing one centre of power with another.
The greater achievement would be to create a world with many centres of opportunity, cooperation and human dignity.
Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for its great help and support!🙏
