Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, 2026. This marks a significant win for Indian diplomacy at the 18th BRICS Summit. The agreement came after intense sessions where officials worked to bridge the gap between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. These nations had previously held conflicting views regarding the ongoing West Asia crisis, requiring extensive back-channel discussions to find common ground.
During the opening day of the two-day event, PM Modi emphasized the importance of unity among the bloc. The successful adoption of the joint statement reflects India's growing influence as a mediator on the global stage. Negotiators reportedly spent several hours fine-tuning the language of the document to ensure every member state felt represented. This consensus is seen as a foundation for future cooperation on economic and security issues within the expanded grouping.
- Consensus on regional conflicts — Negotiators resolved differences between Iran and the UAE through diplomatic channels
- Bilateral talks with China — PM Modi and Xi Jinping discussed stabilizing trade and investment relations
- Global governance reform — India proposed 10 specific points to transform BRICS into a rule-shaping body
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi held a high-profile bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This encounter is particularly noteworthy as it is Xi Jinping's first visit to the Indian capital in seven years. The leaders focused on rebuilding a relationship that had been strained since the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Both sides expressed a desire to strengthen economic ties through increased trade and investment while maintaining peace at the borders.
Addressing the gathered leaders, PM Modi made a compelling case for systemic change in international institutions. He argued that the current global order often sidelines the very nations most affected by major decisions. To rectify this, he suggested that BRICS should evolve from being "rule-takers to rule-shapers." He invited members to collaborate on a BRICS Reform Roadmap, which would include 10 proposals for overhauling global governance structures to better reflect modern realities.
Away from the high-level diplomacy, domestic issues also took center stage. Abhijit Dipke, the convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), visited tribal villages in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district. He met with families who recently lost children to infectious diseases, demanding that the local administration be held accountable. This visit follows a Madhya Pradesh High Court notice regarding the deaths of over 30 children, amid allegations of contaminated water and poor hospital conditions.
In Tamil Nadu, officials clarified that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's current visit to the United Kingdom received full clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian High Commission in London is managing his security and travel logistics. This clarification came after questions arose regarding his absence during the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Chennai, where a high tea had been planned by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has intervened in a long-standing rehabilitation crisis. Judicial member K. Baijunath ordered authorities to provide permanent housing for 26 Paniya tribal families. These families have been living in plastic tents at Vaniyampuzha since the devastating August 2019 floods. The commission has demanded a progress report within a week from the Malappuram Collector to ensure the process is completed on a fixed timeline.
Finally, in the political sphere, Harish Rawat, the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, resigned from his Congress party positions. This decision followed an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on his personal assistant, which reportedly led to the recovery of significant amounts of cash and gold. Rawat stepped down from the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee and his role as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee as the investigation continues.
