BRICS Summit 2023: Leaders Commit to Global Cooperation and AI

News Delhi: The 18th BRICS summit concluded on Sunday with leaders reaffirming their commitment to a more inclusive and representative global order, stronger multilateral cooperation and practical solutions to challenges facing the Global South. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his opening remarks on the second day of the summit, said BRICS cooperation should extend beyond the bloc and benefit developing countries.

“Moving forward on these four pillars through BRICS, we have sought to promote inclusive global growth, because we believe that the solutions developed within BRICS should not remain confined to BRICS alone. They should be made adaptable and accessible in line with the needs of the Global South,” Modi said.

“Today, the number of tensions in the world is continuously increasing, and they are having a very negative and extensive impact on the lives of ordinary people. Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply chain disruptions have shown that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to one region,” he said.

“The weaponization of technology and critical minerals can become an obstacle to our shared progress. That is why we have emphasized inclusivity in the adoption of technology,” Modi added.

BRICS leaders Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders gather in New Delhi for a group photo before planting and watering saplings at a tree plantation ceremony. The 11-nation BRICS group called for calm in the Middle East in a joint statement issued at the summit. Watch the video here.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described BRICS as a major force in reshaping global relations.“I would like to emphasise that today BRICS is one of the most powerful driving forces behind the strengthening of international relations and genuine multilateralism, and plays a major role in shaping a new, more just, multipolar world order,” Putin said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for deeper cooperation among BRICS countries on artificial intelligence, proposing the creation of an “open-source zone for artificial intelligence” for the bloc.

China will lead the creation of the initiative, Xi said at the summit, adding that it would include “specialised research and training on AI” for BRICS countries with the goal of “building an open ecosystem for AI.”

Xi also called for establishing a “broad, consensus-based global AI governance framework.” The BRICS bloc, which includes China, Russia and India, was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.

The leaders of China, Russia and India pose for a family photo with other world leaders on the second day. The BRICS bloc was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.Watch the video here

In his closing remarks, Modi expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” for the active participation and valuable contributions of leaders at the summit.

“Your important ideas and suggestions have given greater breadth as well as depth to our cooperation. Your presence is a testament to the growing relevance, openness and inclusiveness of BRICS,” he said.

“We hope that the New Delhi Declaration adopted at this Summit will provide clear direction to our shared vision and future cooperation,” he added.

“Friends, BRICS is about to enter its third decade. The world now expects from us not merely ideas and commitments, but concrete results. I am confident that, through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations. As the next host, I once again extend my very best wishes to China,” the PM said.

Modi’s bilateral diplomacy

From Russia and China to Iran and Africa, Modi’s diplomatic calendar remained packed on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, with the prime minister holding 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and heads of government over the last three days.

Among the most significant engagements were Modi’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with discussions covering bilateral ties, regional conflicts, multilateral cooperation, border peace, maritime security and the priorities of the Global South.

BRICS Summit 2026: Key Takeaways

BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit, unanimously endorsing a 140-point consensus text at the close of the two-day summit held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Terrorism and Pahalgam

The declaration condemned terrorism in all forms and specifically named the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, reaffirming commitments against cross-border terrorism and terror financing, according to the text.

West Asia and Gaza

Leaders called for restraint in the Middle East but avoided condemning the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the declaration. They demanded an immediate Gaza ceasefire and backed Palestinian statehood, while welcoming the Lebanon ceasefire. Ukraine was not mentioned by name, reflecting continuing divisions within the bloc.

Trade and Tariffs

The bloc criticised unilateral tariffs and carbon border measures without naming the United States, opposing secondary sanctions and pushing expanded local-currency settlement mechanisms, according to the declaration.

UN Reform

China and Russia backed India and Brazil for greater roles at the UN Security Council, with leaders calling for reformed representation for developing countries at global institutions.

AI Governance

For the first time, AI governance was formalised as a core BRICS pillar, with commitments tied to India’s AI Impact Summit and cybersecurity cooperation, according to summit documentation.