India was against plurilateral deals. Is that stance shifting after BRICS summit?

India had historically been against plurilateral trade deals, but this stance seems to be changing following the 2026 BRICS Summit. The New Delhi Declaration stated that BRICS members recognize the importance of identifying pathways for plurilateral initiatives within the WTO legal framework. This stance shift comes just months after India presented strong reservations against such agreements at the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.

While India has previously blocked the incorporation of the China-backed Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) plurilateral pact into the WTO, the BRICS statement implies openness to exploring mechanisms for plurilaterals in the WTO. India's reservation against IFD, which aimed to enhance foreign direct investment flows, was based on systemic risks and the argument that investment is not a core trade issue.

However, the BRICS statement suggests that India is now open to discussions and constructive engagement under the WTO Reform Agenda. Several countries, including Canada and the EU, have supported India in lifting its reservation on IFD, emphasizing that plurilateral agreements, when properly designed, can modernize the WTO without threatening multilateralism.