BRICS Finds Common Ground, Adopts New Delhi Declaration

The outcome represents diplomatic success for India as host country at the 18th BRICS summit to forge consensus among the grouping members, and ensures West Asia does not become a spoiler for the summit. 

Members Condemn Pahalgam Attack

The BRICS summit members condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed in Kashmir valley last April, and called it "criminal and unjustifiable."

"We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens. We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law," the declaration said.

West Asia Tensions Addressed

The summit declaration also demanded reforms of the multilateral institutions such as a structural update of the United Nations Security Council, and criticized unilateral acts of war and called for the safety of seafarers and commercial navigation in the current military action in the Middle East. 

“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” the statement said.

“We encourage increasing efforts, through dialogue and diplomacy, towards a long-term understanding that will contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region. We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law," it added.

BRICS Backs WTO Reform

BRICS also reiterated commitment to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) and for an open, transparent, fair and rules-based global trade.

"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," the declaration said.