Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from the 11-nation bloc of major emerging markets and developing countries. The gathering, which included Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, focused on critical issues regarding trade, investment, and global conflicts.
The summit took place amid significant geopolitical rifts and economic challenges. Discussions were dominated by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the US-Israel war on Iran, as well as rising US-China tensions. Leaders also addressed tariffs, global trade turbulence, and energy security, factors that tested the bloc's unity and ambitions for a greater role in global affairs.
Despite sharply divergent geopolitical positions, the BRICS nations agreed on a joint declaration. The statement called for increased Global South influence in global governance and urged restraint in the Middle East. Additionally, the summit served as a platform for one-to-one diplomacy, with leaders holding bilateral meetings aimed at easing regional tensions.