BRICS India Summit 2026 a resounding success, says EAM Jaishankar
Synopsis
India's 18th BRICS Summit ended with EAM Jaishankar calling it a 'resounding success' tied directly to PM Modi's leadership — and with a New Delhi Declaration that demands real-life outcomes, not just documentation. As BRICS enters its third decade with 11 members and 20 partner nations, the grouping's credibility now hinges on whether this summit's consensus translates into action.
Key Takeaways
EAM S Jaishankar called the 18th BRICS Summit a 'resounding success' in a video posted on X on 14 September 2026 .
India hosted the summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026 as BRICS Chair 2026 .
BRICS now has 11 member states and 20 partner countries , marking its 20th anniversary .
The New Delhi Declaration was adopted, with PM Modi calling for time-bound, last-mile implementation of all outcomes.
China will host the next BRICS summit as the incoming chair.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday, 14 September 2026 called the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi a 'resounding success', crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, vision, and commitment for uniting nations of diverse geographies and cultures around shared interests. Jaishankar made the remarks in a video posted on X, as India concluded its tenure as BRICS Chair 2026.
What Jaishankar Said
'The BRICS India Summit was clearly a resounding success. It came as BRICS marked its 20th year. What drove it was PM Modi's leadership, vision, and commitment. Countries came together from different geographies and diverse cultures. They were inspired by the desire to find common ground. We witnessed progress in bridging divides and harmonizing differences. Conversations remained open and constructive,' Jaishankar said.
He further noted that the summit's outcome reflected a shared resolve among BRICS members to advance the interests of the Global South. 'The resulting consensus was articulated in a robust outcome. Its message was about a strong and united BRICS standing up for the Global South. Our teams worked 24/7 to make this happen, and by doing so, they really made India proud. The world is responding to PM Modi's call for peace, dialogue, and diplomacy. This is what we saw at the BRICS India Summit,' he added.
Summit Details and Composition
India hosted the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September 2026, welcoming leaders of member states, partner countries, and outreach invitees. BRICS currently comprises 11 members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. An additional 20 partner countries — including Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam — also form part of the expanded grouping.
PM Modi's Concluding Remarks
Prime Minister Modi, in his closing address at the summit session on 'Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', described BRICS as 'not merely a grouping of nations, but an ecosystem of solutions.' He urged all member nations to translate the outcomes of the New Delhi Declaration into time-bound, last-mile actions.
'We must translate all outcomes into time-bound actions and last-mile impact. We will work together to ensure that our framework moves beyond mere documentation and creates an impact in real life,' Modi said. He also extended best wishes to China as the next host of the BRICS summit, and commended all leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success.
Significance and What Comes Next
This comes amid a period of heightened geopolitical realignment, with BRICS having expanded significantly in recent years to include Gulf and African nations. The grouping's growing membership raises its profile as a platform for the Global South, though translating joint declarations into concrete policy action remains a persistent challenge. Notably, as BRICS enters its third decade, the New Delhi Summit's emphasis on 'real-life impact' over documentation signals a deliberate shift in tone from previous hosts. China will assume the BRICS chairmanship next, and all eyes will be on how the momentum from New Delhi is carried forward.
Point of View
Iran, and Saudi Arabia alongside democratic India and Brazil — 'consensus' increasingly means the lowest common denominator. The real test of India's chairmanship legacy will be visible when China hosts next year and the world checks whether New Delhi's 'ecosystem of solutions' produced any.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi?
The 18th BRICS Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, with India serving as BRICS Chair. Leaders of member states, partner countries, and outreach invitees attended, adopting the New Delhi Declaration and committing to time-bound implementation of outcomes.
What did EAM Jaishankar say about the BRICS India Summit?
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the summit a 'resounding success' and attributed it to PM Modi's leadership, vision, and commitment. He said conversations were 'open and constructive' and that the outcome reflected a united BRICS standing up for the Global South.
What is the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit?
The New Delhi Declaration is the consensus outcome document adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit. PM Modi said it provides 'a clear direction for our shared vision and future cooperation' and called on members to translate it into time-bound, last-mile actions rather than mere documentation.
How many countries are part of BRICS in 2026?
BRICS has 11 full members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates — along with 20 partner countries including Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Who will host the next BRICS Summit after India?
China will host the next BRICS Summit as the incoming chair. PM Modi extended best wishes to China at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit.
