‘Equality, openness, consensus’: India seeks a more 'practical' BRICS as Modi pitches global governance roadmap

India’s endeavour during its BRICS chairship has been to make the grouping’s cooperation “more practical, forward-looking and responsive” to the priorities of its people, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said on Saturday after the conclusion of the first day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Briefing reporters after the BRICS leaders’ session at Bharat Mandapam, Dalela said the 18th BRICS Summit was taking place in a significant year for the grouping, as India assumed the chairship for the fourth time and BRICS marked the 20th anniversary of its institutionalised cooperation.

“India assumed the BRICS Chairship in January this year for the fourth time, as BRICS marks an important milestone - the 20th anniversary of its institutionalised cooperation,” Dalela said.


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“It was in this context that India sought to build on the work of earlier Chairship, while focussing on the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’ of India’s Chairship,” he said.

Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the principle of “Humanity First”, India’s endeavour was to make BRICS cooperation more practical and forward-looking, Dalela said.

“The summit itself was only the visible peak of much sustained work,” he said, adding that India had organised around 350 meetings leading up to the summit during its year-long chairship.

The chairship had also been people-centric, with India seeking to showcase practical and scalable solutions as well as the country’s art and culture, Dalela said.

‘Equality, openness, consensus’ at centre of BRICS discussions

The discussions among BRICS leaders were marked by “equality, openness and consensus”, while the peaceful resolution of differences was also addressed during the meeting, according to the MEA.

The discussions concluded that BRICS members can “foster and forge consensus on matters of global importance”, Dalela said.

The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the summit also reaffirmed the need for a more multilateral global system, while reflecting what India described as unity, solidarity and partnership among BRICS members.

“The New Delhi declaration is a manifestation of unity, solidarity and partnership,” Dalela said.

September 12, the first day of the summit, also coincided with the UN International Day for South-South Cooperation, adding significance to India’s emphasis on cooperation among developing countries.

Also read: PM Modi, Xi Jinping hold bilateral talks during BRICS Summit; India-China border talks, economic stakes in focus

Modi pitches global governance roadmap, sea safety network

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared the idea of building a BRICS roadmap for a global governance network, while proposing the establishment of a sea farers safety network aimed at ensuring safe sea trade.

The proposals formed part of India’s effort to make BRICS cooperation more practical and responsive, with the grouping’s leaders concluding that member countries can work towards consensus on issues of global importance.

India’s chairship has sought to translate the grouping’s expanding role into practical cooperation, while retaining the principles of equality, openness and consensus that featured prominently in the leaders’ discussions on the first day of the summit.

Dalela said India had attempted throughout its chairship to demonstrate practical, scalable solutions and bring a people-centric approach to BRICS cooperation.

The 18th BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12-13, with India hosting the grouping under its 2026 chairship.