NEW DELHI — The BRICS group of emerging economies has agreed on a joint declaration as leaders began summit talks in New Delhi, sources told Reuters on Saturday, a diplomatic breakthrough for a bloc seeking more global clout.
Four sources said the text is unlikely to name any country but will condemn unilateral aggression. Leaders were expected to approve the document later Saturday. Host Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the meeting saying the Global South is “in the front row when it comes to global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making,” and renewed India’s call for U.N. Security Council reform.
Attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Negotiators had to bridge Iran–UAE tensions over the Gulf conflict; BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi in May failed to issue a joint statement.
The grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates — accounts for more than 40% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy. Members want greater say in reforming the IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
Sources: Reuters
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