BRICS Negotiators Push for Consensus on Delhi Declaration Ahead of Summit

Negotiators in New Delhi worked late into Friday evening to build consensus on the "Delhi Declaration", the outcome document for the BRICS Summit of 11 emerging economies, as leaders prepared to gather in the capital.

Officials and diplomatic sources said member countries had agreed on almost the entire text, with the exception of a single paragraph. The unresolved portion concerns references to the war in Iran, initiated by the United States and Israel, and Iran's attacks on installations in the United Arab Emirates and other West Asian countries.

Both Iran and the UAE joined BRICS in 2024, and their tensions have stalled joint statements at every BRICS ministerial meeting this year. At the Foreign Ministers' meeting in mid-May, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar issued a "Chair's Summary" in place of a joint document. An official involved in the talks said engagement on the outcome document was continuing, while others expressed hope of a breakthrough, recalling India's success in securing a joint statement at the 2023 G-20 Summit despite divisions over the war in Ukraine.

During the negotiations, Iran has sought a clear condemnation of actions by the U.S. and Israel, while the UAE has demanded "equal condemnation" of Iran's actions. Iran has contested this in Sherpa meetings, arguing it would amount to criticising itself, and has maintained that its strikes on the Gulf region were in self-defence and limited to U.S. military and ancillary installations.

Leaders of eight BRICS countries, including Russia, India, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa, Indonesia and Iran, will meet at the Bharat Mandapam complex on Saturday afternoon for the first time since the Iran war began. Brazil, heading into elections, will be represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in place of President Lula da Silva. UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, currently visiting Germany, will be represented by his son, Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Saudi Arabia, granted membership in 2024 but yet to join formally, has sent Foreign Minister Farhan bin Saud.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is understood to have stressed the importance of a joint statement in his bilateral talks on Friday, including with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a strong ally of Tehran with considerable influence there. Attention will also focus on Modi's meeting with the UAE Crown Prince on Saturday morning, with diplomatic observers viewing the decision to send the Crown Prince rather than a minister as a sign of the summit's importance to the UAE.

The outreach to President Pezeshkian was evident from his arrival, with a red-carpet welcome. Modi was seen personally guiding him at the BRICS Business event, and Pezeshkian will be the only BRICS leader to meet President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday, according to an External Affairs Ministry advisory.

The grouping has been deeply affected by the war, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks and the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026. Beyond Iran and the UAE, which has faced repeated Iranian drone and missile strikes, other BRICS members have been hit by economic disruptions, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to cargo traffic, and rising energy prices and supply concerns.

Former Secretary for Multilateral and Economic Relations Dammu Ravi said the participation of all leaders in the 18th BRICS Summit reaffirmed their collective confidence and commitment to the grouping. He described it as an excellent opportunity for India to focus on solutions for the global south through a trilateral framework combining shared strengths.

The main session will be held on Saturday afternoon under the theme "Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism". UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who met Modi on Friday evening, will attend. Leaders will also visit an exhibition on Indian innovation and take part in a joint tree plantation ceremony. This is the fourth time India has hosted the summit, after Delhi in 2012, Goa in 2016 and a virtual edition in 2021.