The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has highlighted growing concerns among emerging economies over unilateral tariffs and protectionist trade measures, while also giving India greater room to pursue an independent foreign policy. Hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 12–13, the summit brought together leaders and representatives of the expanded BRICS grouping at a time of heightened geopolitical and economic tensions.
The New Delhi Declaration expressed opposition to unilateral coercive measures, tariffs and non-tariff barriers that members said could disrupt international trade and undermine established multilateral rules. Although the United States was not directly named, the language was widely viewed as a response to the tariff policies pursued by US President Donald Trump. BRICS members also called for a more effective and representative global trading system, including reforms to the World Trade Organization.
For India, the summit was significant because it demonstrated New Delhi’s ability to work with countries that have sharply different strategic interests while avoiding the creation of an explicitly anti-Western bloc. India has continued to maintain important relationships with the United States and other Western partners while simultaneously strengthening ties with Russia, China, Iran and other BRICS members.
Trump’s earlier threats of additional tariffs against countries associated with what he described as anti-American BRICS policies had increased pressure on the grouping. Instead of producing a direct confrontation with Washington, however, the summit adopted a more measured approach. The declaration criticised unilateral trade actions while leaving room for individual BRICS members to manage their separate bilateral relationships.
India’s approach was particularly focused on preserving strategic flexibility. New Delhi has resisted efforts to turn BRICS into a political alliance directed against Western countries and has instead pushed for cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, energy security, supply-chain resilience and cross-border payments.
The summit also underscored the importance of alternative payment arrangements as several BRICS countries seek to reduce vulnerabilities associated with dependence on Western financial systems. India has generally favoured connecting existing national payment systems and encouraging local-currency transactions rather than immediately supporting the creation of a common BRICS currency.
The economic debate was accompanied by broader geopolitical discussions. BRICS leaders addressed conflicts affecting global energy supplies, shipping routes and supply chains, while India used the summit to engage with major powers across competing geopolitical groupings. Modi’s meetings with leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reflected New Delhi’s effort to maintain multiple strategic partnerships simultaneously.
The outcome strengthens India’s position as a consensus-builder within the Global South. Rather than choosing between competing power blocs, New Delhi is seeking greater influence in shaping international rules while retaining access to Western markets, investment and technology. The BRICS summit therefore provided India with an additional platform to advance strategic autonomy at a time when trade disputes and geopolitical rivalries are reshaping the international system.
The New Delhi Declaration’s criticism of unilateral tariffs represents a notable collective response to growing trade fragmentation. At the same time, India’s handling of the summit demonstrated that its BRICS policy is centred on flexibility, economic interests and diplomatic balance rather than bloc confrontation.
With BRICS expanding its economic and geopolitical reach, India’s leadership of the grouping has given New Delhi an opportunity to influence the emerging global order. The summit showed that despite significant differences among its members, BRICS can still provide a platform for cooperation on trade, finance, energy, technology and global governance.