New Delhi, the capital of India, hosted leaders and representatives of partner countries on the final day of the two-day 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
The summit’s open session addressed the theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Global Growth.”
New Delhi Declaration recognizes role of partner countries
BRICS countries unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration on the previous day of the summit. The declaration recognized the “valuable contribution” made by partner countries to BRICS cooperation.
The declaration emphasized that advancing partnerships with emerging markets and developing countries would strengthen the spirit of solidarity and international cooperation. The text also reiterated the commitment to developing inclusive, mutually beneficial and development-oriented partnerships with partner countries.
BRICS also encouraged greater participation by partner countries in meetings related to the group and in practical cooperation in areas of common interest.
11-member structure and partner countries
The expanded BRICS consists of 11 members. In addition to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also members of the group.
Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam have partner-country status within the BRICS framework.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin and host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit. Leaders and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Cuba, Belarus, Nigeria and Uganda were also present at the meeting.
BRICS’ share of the global economy
According to figures shared by BRICS, the group represents approximately 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global gross domestic product and 26% of world trade.
The previous BRICS summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025. The next summit is planned to take place in China.
