The 18th BRICS Summit has concluded with the adoption of a sweeping 140-point New Delhi Declaration, covering trade, geopolitics, terrorism, Gaza, artificial intelligence, global governance and financial reforms. With India leading the BRICS chairship, the summit placed trade, technology and the concerns of the Global South at the centre of discussions, while the bloc also took positions on some of the world's biggest geopolitical flashpoints. A major focus was global trade. BRICS rejected unilateral tariffs and sanctions and called for stronger WTO rules, fairer dispute mechanisms and a more predictable multilateral trading system. The bloc also backed efforts to expand the use of local currencies and faster, safer cross-border payment systems, reflecting the growing push among BRICS nations for greater financial cooperation. WATCH

A major diplomatic development has emerged from the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the BRICS New Delhi Declaration condemning the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and calling for action against cross-border terrorism, terror financing and safe havens. The development carries added significance because China remains one of Pakistan’s closest strategic partners. Beijing’s decision to sign the declaration has therefore created a major diplomatic talking point for India and Pakistan.