The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said that the strong participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi underscored the growing importance of the grouping, its deepening engagement with the developing world and the Global South, and the confidence member states have placed in India's chairship. The remarks were made by Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary of Economic Relations at the MEA, during a media briefing on the sidelines of the summit.

Eight Months of Sustained Diplomatic Groundwork

Dalela noted that the summit was 'only the visible peak' of a far longer process. Since India assumed the BRICS Chairship in January, the country has organised more than 350 meetings — both in person and virtually — spanning thematic clusters, ministerial sessions, working-group deliberations, business forums, and people-centric initiatives.

'The true measure of a chairship is not simply the number of meetings that are held; it is the quality of participation, the ability to build consensus and outcomes that are created,' Dalela stated.

Leaders Call for Inclusive Global Governance

Saturday's BRICS members' session was held under the theme 'Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism'. According to Dalela, leaders spoke from their respective national perspectives but converged broadly on the need to make global governance institutions more representative, effective, and responsive to present-day realities.

The leaders reportedly reiterated support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with greater representation of developing countries. They also called for reform of the international financial architecture to amplify the voice of the Global South.

Discussions additionally touched on the impact of ongoing conflicts and economic challenges, with leaders underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of differences.

PM Modi's Four Proposals for BRICS Collaboration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his intervention, emphasised the importance of strengthening the Global South's voice and keeping BRICS focused on development-oriented outcomes. According to Dalela, Modi outlined four specific initiatives:

1. A BRICS Troika mechanism to ensure continuity across chairships.
2. A BRICS roadmap on global governance reform.
3. A Seafarer Emergency Support Initiative Network to assist seafarers in distress worldwide.
4. A Global South Negotiation Support programme to build capacity among officials and young professionals in technology, global rulemaking, and emerging policy areas.

New Delhi Declaration and Over 50 Practical Outcomes

A key signing outcome of India's leadership was the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which Dalela described as evidence that BRICS members can forge consensus on matters of global importance. The summit reportedly produced more than 50 practical outcomes across four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.

BRICS leaders were also given a tour of Bharat Innovate, an exhibition curated specifically for visiting heads of state, delegation members, and business leaders. The showcase highlighted India's achievements and potential in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and development.

India's Commitment Going Forward

Dalela affirmed that India remains fully committed to the outcomes of the summit and the New Delhi BRICS Leaders' Declaration. The discussion, he noted, reaffirmed the foundational principles of BRICS cooperation — mutual respect, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus, with differences addressed through dialogue and consultations.

With the summit now concluded, attention is expected to turn to how the New Delhi Declaration's commitments are implemented and whether the proposed Troika mechanism gains traction among partner nations in the months ahead.