BRICS countries have reached an agreement on a joint declaration ahead of the leaders’ meeting in New Delhi, marking an important step for the expanded group as it tries to show unity despite differences among its members.
The agreement was reached by negotiators before the BRICS Leaders’ Summit on Saturday, September 12. According to sources cited by Reuters, the document is not expected to name any country directly but will criticise unilateral military action.
BRICS leaders are expected to give the declaration their final approval during the summit.
Why the Agreement Is Important
Getting all members to agree on a common statement was not easy this year.
Different BRICS countries have different positions on major international conflicts. The situation in West Asia, particularly the tensions involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates, had become one of the biggest challenges for negotiators.
The successful agreement now allows the group to present a united position despite these differences.
Iran-UAE Differences Put Pressure on BRICS
Relations between Iran and the UAE became a sensitive issue ahead of the summit.
The two countries have taken different positions amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Iran-linked Houthi forces in Yemen have also remained a major factor in the wider security situation around the Red Sea.
Diplomats therefore faced a difficult task: finding wording on the Middle East crisis that different BRICS members could accept.
The agreement suggests that negotiators were able to avoid language that could have created a direct clash between members.
BRICS Had Faced a Similar Problem Earlier
This is not the first time BRICS has struggled to produce a common statement.
BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi in May were unable to issue a joint declaration because of disagreements involving Iran and the UAE.
That made Saturday’s agreement more significant.
It shows that the group was able to overcome at least one major diplomatic hurdle before the leaders’ meeting.
BRICS Wants a Bigger Role in Global Affairs
The joint declaration is only one part of the larger BRICS agenda.
The group has been calling for changes to major international institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization.
Several BRICS members believe developing countries should have a greater role in decisions made by these institutions.
The group is also working to increase economic cooperation, trade and financial links among its members.
India Faces a Diplomatic Balancing Act
For India, hosting the summit requires careful diplomacy.
New Delhi has important relationships with countries on different sides of several international disputes, including the United States, Russia, Iran, Israel and Gulf nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pushing BRICS countries to increase trade, reduce barriers and create more opportunities for businesses.
The challenge for India is to keep these different interests together while ensuring that the BRICS platform remains focused on practical cooperation.
Who Is Attending the Delhi Summit?
Several major leaders are in New Delhi for the summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Their presence gives the summit added importance as BRICS tries to strengthen its role in international affairs.
How Big Is BRICS Today?
BRICS has changed considerably since it was created.
The group originally brought together Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later. It has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Together, the BRICS countries represent more than 40% of the world’s population and account for a significant share of the global economy.
That gives the group considerable economic and demographic weight.
What Does the Joint Declaration Actually Show?
The declaration may not immediately change international politics.
Its bigger importance is that BRICS members managed to agree on a common position despite serious differences between them.
For the group, unity itself has become an important message.
The New Delhi summit will now test whether BRICS can go beyond issuing statements and turn its growing economic and political influence into stronger cooperation on trade, finance, development and global governance.
