The Brics nations unanimously adopted a joint declaration at their annual summit in Delhi on Saturday, in a diplomatic breakthrough for an expanding bloc seeking a greater role in shaping global affairs.Indian prime minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption on the first day of the two-day summit. The declaration followed difficult negotiations between the members, particularly over the conflict involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates, and came after Brics foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement in May.The declaration advocates an approach that respects national viewpoints on major international issues and reiterates the bloc’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy. It stresses the need for the prevention of conflicts, including by addressing their root causes.The declaration also calls for continued discussions on practical solutions for cross-border payments between Brics countries.Several world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, are attending the summit. The UAE is represented by Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Brazil by foreign minister Mauro Vieira.A screen shows Chinese president Xi Jinping during the Brics summit in Delhi, India, on 12 September 2026 (Reuters)Ahead of the summit, the adoption of the declaration was seen as a crucial test of the bloc’s ability to reach consensus at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. According to Reuters, the negotiators had sought language that would not name any country while condemning unilateral aggression. The negotiations were complicated by divisions between Iran and the UAE. The two countries are on opposing sides of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The need to bridge their differences had been an urgent concern for Brics diplomats and officials.A screen shows Russian president Vladimir Putin during the Brics Summit in Delhi (Reuters)Mr Xi called on Brics to play a peacemaking role in the Middle East and said that China would work with other members to secure peace because war “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, CCTV reported.Mr Xi described Brics as a leading group in the Global South and a model of self-reliance for emerging and developing countries. He also said the grouping should promote innovation-driven development.China is due to become the Brics chair in 2027 and host the next summit, according to CCTV.India's Narendra Modi shakes hands with China's Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony in Delhi (AFP/Getty)Mr Modi, opening the summit, said the bloc had come of age and its unity and consensus should now be translated into concrete results on the global stage.“While strengthening Brics, we must also determine the direction of global reform,” Mr Modi said. “The Global South is today ‌in the front row when it comes to global crises, but in the back row when it comes to decision-making. We’ve to transform this pyramid and privilege into a platform of partnership where every country has a voice, every member has a stake.”He renewed India's call for reform of the UN Security Council, seeking permanent seats for India and other emerging powers.“The message of this Brics summit being held in India should be clear: if our future is shared, then the right to shape that future must also be shared,” Mr Modi said.Narendra Modi shakes hands with UAE’s Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Reuters)The declaration also addresses economic tensions. Brics said it was concerned about the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that distorted trade and were inconsistent with World Trade Organisation rules, and condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that were contrary to international law. The bloc was likely referring to the imposition of sweeping tariffs by the US on almost all countries last year. Brics, seeking to increase its influence over global rules, is also calling for reforms to institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and WTO, which some members regard as dominated by Western powers.Brics, established in 2009, comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Its members now account for more than 40 per cent of the world's population and almost a quarter of the global economy.