BRICS Backs Dialogue and Diplomacy as Core Response to Global Conflicts
Oru Leonard
NEW DELHI: BRICS leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving global conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, with the New Delhi Declaration emerging as a consensus document on major geopolitical and development issues.
Briefing journalists after the BRICS Summit, Secretary (Economic Relations) and India’s BRICS Chair, Shri Sudhakar Dalela, said member countries agreed that peaceful settlement of disputes, adherence to the UN Charter and diplomatic engagement should remain the guiding principles for addressing international tensions.
“BRICS has very clearly articulated its preference for dialogue and diplomacy as a guiding parameter for addressing tension and conflict,” Dalela said, noting that the position was reflected in several provisions of the New Delhi Declaration.
He said BRICS had reached consensus on issues concerning West Asia, stressing that lasting peace, security and stability could only be achieved through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
According to him, India’s chairship provided a transparent platform for members to express their national perspectives and discuss areas of difference while working towards consensus.
“In a grouping like BRICS, where members have diverse development experiences and economic systems, it is important that discussions evolve through dialogue and consensus-building,” he said.
Dalela described the New Delhi Declaration as the outcome of extensive consultations among member states and a reflection of the common ground reached on political, security and development issues.
He said the ability of BRICS members to reach agreed positions on sensitive global matters demonstrated the grouping’s capacity to bridge differences despite varied national interests and priorities.
Beyond geopolitical concerns, the summit reaffirmed BRICS’ support for reform of global governance institutions, particularly the United Nations and the UN Security Council.
Dalela highlighted the declaration’s support for a stronger role for emerging and developing countries in international affairs, including nations from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The declaration also recognises the legitimate aspirations of African countries in the context of UN reform while reiterating earlier BRICS positions supporting a greater role for India and Brazil at the United Nations, including the Security Council.
On the expansion of BRICS, Dalela noted that Egypt, despite being a relatively new member, had participated actively in the grouping’s processes and supported India’s chairship priorities.
He said Egypt had contributed constructively to consensus-building across different sectors and was expected to play an increasingly important role in future BRICS cooperation.
Development-oriented cooperation also featured prominently at the summit, with India placing emphasis on issues directly affecting citizens, including trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, technology and innovation.
Dalela said the New Delhi Declaration and accompanying fact sheet captured more than 50 practical outcomes achieved during India’s chairship in areas including resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
He stressed that development cooperation remained central to BRICS’ engagement with the Global South, as member states continue to exchange experiences and best practices to tackle common challenges and promote inclusive growth.
The summit also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year, reaffirming BRICS’ opposition to terrorism.
Reflecting on India’s year as BRICS chair, Dalela disclosed that the country organised more than 350 meetings across 22 ministerial tracks and working groups, covering virtually every major area of cooperation.
He said the chairship recorded broad participation from central and state governments, industry, academia, youth organisations, civil society and local communities, with events held in more than 30 cities across India.
Describing the tenure as a “people-centric chairship,” Dalela highlighted initiatives including the BRICS Solidarity Run, BRICS Film Festival, BRICS Youth Summit and the ongoing BRICS Artisan Bazaar.
The initiatives, he said, were designed to deepen people-to-people engagement among BRICS countries.
India also used its chairship to showcase its experience in digital public infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, disaster resilience and traditional knowledge systems.
“The true measure of a chairship is not simply the number of meetings held, but the quality of participation, the ability to build consensus and the outcomes achieved,” Dalela said.
He added that the New Delhi Declaration and the practical outcomes recorded during India’s chairship had laid a strong foundation for the next phase of BRICS cooperation.
Dalela thanked BRICS members and partner countries for their constructive participation throughout India’s tenure, describing the New Delhi Declaration as a manifestation of partnership, unity, solidarity and consensus-building.
He said the declaration reaffirmed BRICS’ commitment to peace, development and the emergence of a more representative global order.
