The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026, a joint document that incorporated all key issues raised by India — including terrorism, terror financing, and the condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025, in which 26 tourists were killed. The declaration marks a significant diplomatic win for India on the international stage.

India's Priorities Reflected in the Declaration

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal welcomed the summit's outcome, stating that the New Delhi Declaration addressed India's core concerns. 'The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit included all the issues raised by India. The Pahalgam terror attack was strongly condemned, while a strong resolution on terror financing was also passed,' Khandelwal said.

The declaration explicitly condemned the Pahalgam attack 'in the strongest terms,' describing it as an act carried out on 22 April 2025 in which 26 people were killed and many more injured. The document reiterated the BRICS nations' collective resolve to combat terrorism 'in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens.'

United Front Against Terrorism

Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande highlighted the significance of BRICS nations presenting a unified front against terrorism. 'The representatives of various countries who attended the BRICS Summit have all raised their voices against terrorism and condemned the Pahalgam attack. This is an important development,' she said, adding that the collective condemnation demonstrated that participating nations did not support terrorism in any form.

The declaration further stated: '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.'

Modi's Role in Building Consensus

BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal described the summit as a success that delivered a strong message to the international community. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with building consensus among participating countries, particularly on development and ending ongoing wars. 'Peace and harmony are essential for the development of countries, which can be achieved through mutual cooperation,' Sigriwal said.

Notably, the declaration's call for 'zero tolerance against terrorism' and rejection of 'double standards in countering terrorism' carries particular weight given India's longstanding position that cross-border terrorism — widely attributed to Pakistan-backed groups — must be addressed without equivocation by the global community.

Background: The Pahalgam Attack

The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 in Jammu and Kashmir saw Pakistan-backed terrorists gun down 26 tourists after reportedly identifying their religion — one of the most brutal attacks on civilians in the region in recent years. India had subsequently pushed for the incident to be addressed at multilateral forums, making its inclusion in the BRICS declaration a notable diplomatic achievement.

What Comes Next

The New Delhi Declaration sets a collective framework for BRICS nations to intensify cooperation on counterterrorism mechanisms. Analysts will watch whether the declaration's language on terror financing translates into concrete multilateral action — particularly regarding mechanisms to track and choke cross-border funding networks. India's successful hosting of the summit also reinforces its growing centrality in shaping the agenda of the expanded BRICS grouping.