BRICS concludes 18th summit in New Delhi with new cooperation initiatives

The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi after two days of discussions on global governance, trade, development, and international cooperation. Representing Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah led the delegation. Held under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability," the summit tackled complex political and economic issues, aiming to reform global governance institutions and expand the representation of the Global South in international decision-making.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the need for reforms that reflect current realities and emphasized the importance of greater Global South participation. The summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which supported UN system reform, international financial institutions reform, and enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development.

The declaration also expressed concern over Middle East tensions and called for peaceful dispute resolution. On the second day, discussions centered on translating political consensus into practical initiatives in economy, technology, health, supply chains, and development. Prime Minister Modi unveiled plans for a BRICS early warning system for infectious diseases, disaster management, and supply chain cooperation.

India proposed creating a BRICS startup innovation fund, a business incubator network, and a digital agriculture network. China introduced initiatives to boost economic and technological cooperation, including an open-source AI zone and enhanced collaboration among special economic zones. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed strengthening intra-group trade and production chains.

The summit addressed sustainability, clean energy, climate adaptation, food security, digital agriculture, sustainable cities, and smart infrastructure. India's presidency resulted in practical outcomes, including action plans and frameworks in various cooperation areas, signaling a shift from political statements to actionable initiatives as BRICS enters its third decade with expanding membership and influence on Global South issues.