BRICS backs UN ceasefire in Gaza
BRICS leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to a more representative and inclusive global order, calling for reforms of the United Nations Security Council, stronger participation of developing countries in international decision-making and deeper economic cooperation through local currencies.
The commitments were set out in the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit, which began in the Indian capital on Saturday.
The declaration also expressed deep concern over the escalation of conflicts in West Asia, urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and called for dialogue and diplomacy towards lasting peace.
The grouping reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue and Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations, while calling for adherence to the Gaza ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and an end to forced displacement.
The declaration also condemned unilateral tariffs and “acts of war”.
“We note that the multilateral trading system has long been at a crossroads.
The proliferation of trade-restrictive actions that are inconsistent with WTO rules, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives, threatens to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and negatively affecting prospects for global economic development,” it said.
“We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law, and reiterate that such measures, inter alia in the form of unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions,” it added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the war in the Middle East was against the common interests of the international community and called on BRICS to play a role in bringing peace and stability to the region.
“The relevant parties should keep to the direction of political settlement, and work for a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“China will work with fellow BRICS members to play a due role in bringing peace and tranquility to the Middle East,” he said.
The declaration backed reforms of the United Nations, including the Security Council, and said emerging and developing economies must have a greater voice in global institutions.
China and Russia reiterated their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the summit at Bharat Mandapam, said reform of the Security Council could no longer be delayed.
“Negotiations on this matter must be linked to a definite timeframe and clear outcomes,” Modi said.
He also urged BRICS countries to help transform the Global South from rule-takers into rule-shapers, arguing that developing countries should have a greater role in shaping global rules and institutions.
“The Global South is today in the front row of global crises, but in the back row of decision-making,” Modi said.
The New Delhi Declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and specifically denounced the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people.
BRICS called for stronger action against cross-border terrorism, terror financing and safe havens, urging that those involved in terrorist activities and their support networks be held accountable.
It also called for deeper cooperation against extremism, radicalisation, organised crime, money laundering and cross-border fraud networks.
The declaration’s security commitments came alongside calls to maintain the flow of global trade, supply chains and energy amid growing geopolitical tensions.
On the economic front, BRICS reaffirmed its push for deeper cooperation and advanced work on cross-border payments, including interoperability between payment and messaging systems and greater use of local currencies for trade settlements and investment.
The declaration backed efforts to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more accessible, transparent and secure, while advancing the BRICS Economic Partnership 2030.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on BRICS members to resist unilateral sanctions and establish a permanent secretariat to improve the bloc’s effectiveness.
“To enhance efficiency and accelerate the implementation of BRICS decisions, measures such as resisting unilateral sanctions, transforming competition into cooperation and establishing a permanent secretariat are necessary,” Pezeshkian said in his speech, as cited by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
He outlined three priorities for Iran within BRICS: stronger political coordination based on the UN Charter and respect for national sovereignty; economic and financial relations independent of monopolistic instruments; and expanded cooperation in science, technology, energy and food security.
On Palestine, Pezeshkian described the realisation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination as a serious test of the credibility and legitimacy of global governance.
The declaration also placed technology, innovation, health, agriculture and climate resilience at the centre of the grouping’s agenda.
BRICS recognised artificial intelligence as a major opportunity for economic growth and sustainable development, while calling for AI that is safe, secure, inclusive and trustworthy.
The leaders promoted cooperation on digital public infrastructure, agriculture and food security, resilient energy systems, critical-mineral supply chains and disaster preparedness.
These commitments reflect the summit’s broader theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
Xi Jinping announced that China will host the next BRICS summit in 2027, following India’s two-day summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
Prime Minister Modi greeted Xi on China’s upcoming presidency during the closing session, according to summit videos streamed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The Chinese embassy in India and Xinhua also confirmed the announcement.
The host city and dates for the 2027 summit were not immediately available.
The New Delhi summit brings together leaders from BRICS’ 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, alongside representatives of international organisations.
In his opening remarks, Modi called for a new and ambitious agenda for the next 20 years of BRICS, saying the grouping must respond more effectively to global challenges.
He also stressed that BRICS was not directed against any country or group, but sought to advance cooperation through consensus and by taking everyone along.
“Over the past 20 years, Brics has established a distinct identity on the global stage. We respect each other’s perspectives and move forward through consensus. We are not against anyone; rather, we seek to move forward with the approach of taking everyone along,” Modi said.
The declaration’s emphasis on multilateralism, economic cooperation and conflict resolution underlined India’s effort to position BRICS as a platform for practical cooperation among emerging and developing economies, rather than as a grouping defined by opposition to any particular country.
