BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 13, 2026, laying out a 140-point roadmap on trade, technology and global governance reform. The BRICS Delhi Declaration trade provisions criticise unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures and back greater use of national currencies for cross-border settlement, signalling a coordinated pushback by the now 11-member bloc against protectionist trade policy.
The declaration was adopted during India’s BRICS chairship year and followed two days of talks at Bharat Mandapam. It commits members to strengthening trade, investment, energy and financial cooperation, while backing reform of the United Nations, World Bank, IMF and WTO so these institutions better reflect current global economic realities. Officials said the chairship produced more than 150 practical outcomes over the year, from MSME cooperation to digital infrastructure and supply-chain frameworks.
What Does the Declaration Say About Tariffs and Protectionism?
Member states used the Delhi Declaration to formally criticise unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, warning that such protectionist policies could disrupt global trade flows and supply chains. This comes as BRICS economies collectively account for roughly 25% of world goods exports, up from about 23% in 2011, giving the bloc’s joint tariff stance added weight in ongoing global trade disputes, including escalating US tariff actions against several BRICS-linked economies.
How Does This Affect India’s Trade Policy?
For India, the declaration reinforces a strategy of diversifying trade partnerships beyond any single market while continuing separate bilateral negotiations, including talks with the United States on a preferential tariff framework. India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has framed the BRICS trade commitments as complementary to, not a substitute for, its Western trade engagements, with officials noting India’s exports rose 13.31% year-on-year to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026 alone.
Market and Trade Reaction
Trade economists described the declaration’s currency provisions, including backing for local-currency settlement and interoperable payment systems, as a gradual, practical step rather than an attempt to displace the US dollar outright. Indian industry bodies welcomed the emphasis on supply-chain resilience, particularly the accompanying BRICS Logistic Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, as a hedge against future tariff shocks from major trading partners.
What Happens Next?
Implementation of the Delhi Declaration’s trade and governance provisions will now move to working-group level, with BRICS finance and trade ministries expected to report progress before the bloc’s chairship passes to Brazil. Analysts will be watching whether the declaration’s language on institutional reform translates into concrete positions at the next WTO ministerial and G20 discussions later in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BRICS Delhi Declaration 2026?
It is a 140-point roadmap adopted by BRICS leaders on September 13, 2026 at the New Delhi Summit, covering trade, technology, currency cooperation and reform of global institutions like the WTO, IMF and World Bank.
Does the declaration target US tariffs specifically?
The declaration does not name any country but criticises unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures broadly, a stance widely read as a response to recent US tariff actions against BRICS member economies.
How many countries are now part of BRICS?
BRICS has expanded to 11 members as of the 2026 New Delhi Summit, reflecting the bloc’s growing weight in global trade, currently accounting for about a quarter of world goods exports.
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