DOMINANT ANGLE
Moscow claims in the New Delhi declaration that the proof is that the BRICS are imposing themselves as an autonomous pole of global governance, driven by Putin's call to adapt international financial institutions and by the group's support for a reform of the UN Security Council.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The statement claims to be "deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East" and calls on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint" without naming any country (Interfax).
- 02
Vladimir Putin has described the BRICS as "one of the main centers of global governance" and called on international financial institutions to adapt to changing realities (Sputnik).
- 03
The statement supports Africa's candidacy for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council; Russia and China, permanent members, reaffirm their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India (TASS).
ANALYSIS
Moscow, September 13, 2026. In New Delhi, the eleven member countries of the BRICS adopted the New Delhi declaration unanimously on Saturday, September 12, which Russian diplomacy presents as proof that the bloc is establishing itself as an autonomous pole of global governance. Cited by Interfax, the declaration states that the participants are "deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and Western Asia" and call on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid further aggravation," without designating any country. The text welcomes the "efforts undertaken through dialogue and diplomacy" and reaffirms support for the principle of "two states for two peoples" as well as the right of Palestinians to self-determination.
Vladimir Putin, present alongside Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping at the BRICS+ session, described the group as "one of the main centers of global governance" and called on international financial institutions to adapt to changing economic realities, reports Sputnik. Xi Jinping announced that China will chair the BRICS in 2027 and host the 19th summit, saying he is ready to contribute to stability in the Middle East and the Gulf.
TASS emphasizes that the declaration supports Africa's candidacy for permanent representation on the UN Security Council, referring to the Ezulwini Consensus, and specifies that Russia and China, permanent members of the Council, have reaffirmed their support for Brazil and India's aspirations to play a greater role. The text also condemns the multiplication of customs duties and non-tariff measures deemed incompatible with WTO rules, and expresses concern about the increase in global military spending to the detriment of development financing.
Vedomosti, citing Reuters, notes that the main difficulty was finding a formulation on the Middle East acceptable to both Tehran and Abu Dhabi, after the failure of a joint declaration by the heads of diplomacy in May. The newspaper estimates that the text will not significantly change the geopolitical situation but will demonstrate the unity of developing countries in the face of measures deemed punitive, including Western sanctions. On the sidelines of the summit, Putin held a bilateral meeting with the South African president.
