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Africa has heard the compliments before.The continent of the future. The world's youngest continent. A mineral powerhouse. The next great consumer market. An indispensable voice of the Global South.All true.But recognition without influence is merely applause.The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit makes a powerful case for a more representative global order and greater participation by developing economies, particularly those from Africa, Asia and Latin America.That is welcome.But Africa should ask an uncomfortable question: where is its power in this emerging order?Africa has 54 countries and more than 1.5 billion people, yet only South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are full members of BRICS. Nigeria and Uganda are partner countries.That is progress. It is not proportional power.And simply stuffing BRICS with dozens more members is not necessarily the solution either.Expansion without coordination risks creating another enormous international talking shop — impressive family photographs, lengthy declarations and very little ability to act.Africa therefore needs something more important than seats: a strategy.This is where the African Union should become central.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WIONAtBRICS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONAtBRICS</a> | 54 African countries. Only THREE are full BRICS members. Africa doesn&#39;t need applause for its &quot;potential.&quot; It needs power proportional to it. India deserves credit for opening the door. But Africa must decide how it walks through it.<a href="https://x.com/eriknjoka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eriknjoka</a> brings more on… <a href="https://t.co/xmwS1LAkgK">pic.twitter.com/xmwS1LAkgK</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2099168609893576871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Instead of African countries approaching emerging blocs primarily through individual national interests, the continent needs greater coordination around what it wants from them: infrastructure financing, industrialisation, technology transfer, energy security, agricultural transformation, value addition and reform of global financial institutions.Africa possesses many of the resources the emerging world wants. It should negotiate accordingly.India deserves recognition here.New Delhi has repeatedly pushed greater representation of the Global South, backed the African Union's elevation within the G20 and used its 2026 BRICS chairship to again place developing economies prominently on the agenda.That matters.India and Africa also have something important in common: neither wants the international system permanently dictated by institutions reflecting yesterday's balance of power.But partnership cannot mean replacing dependence on one centre of global power with dependence on another.Africa should neither become an appendage of the West nor a bargaining chip for the East.It should become a pole of power itself.That means BRICS should not simply ask how many more African countries it can accommodate.Africa should ask what membership actually delivers.More African flags around the BRICS table will mean little if African economies continue exporting raw minerals only to import the finished products; if infrastructure gaps persist; if Africans remain underrepresented where global financial and security decisions are made; and if the continent's enormous population translates into market size but not negotiating strength.The New Delhi Declaration talks about giving the Global South a greater voice.Good.Now Africa must use it.Because the continent does not need another invitation to somebody else's table.It needs the leverage to help decide what is served.

New Delhi has repeatedly pushed greater representation of the Global South, backed the African Union's elevation within the G20 and used its 2026 BRICS chairship to again place developing economies prominently on the agenda.

Africa has heard the compliments before. The continent of the future. The world's youngest continent. A mineral powerhouse. The next great consumer market. An indispensable voice of the Global South. All true. But recognition without influence is merely applause. The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit makes a powerful case for a more representative global order and greater participation by developing economies, particularly those from Africa, Asia and Latin America. That is welcome. But Africa should ask an uncomfortable question: where is its power in this emerging order? Africa has 54 countries and more than 1.5 billion people, yet only South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are full members of BRICS. Nigeria and Uganda are partner countries. That is progress. It is not proportional power. And simply stuffing BRICS with dozens more members is not necessarily the solution either. Expansion without coordination risks creating another enormous international talking shop — impressive family photographs, lengthy declarations and very little ability to act. Africa therefore needs something more important than seats: a strategy. This is where the African Union should become central.

New Delhi has repeatedly pushed greater representation of the Global South, backed the African Union's elevation within the G20 and used its 2026 BRICS chairship to again place developing economies prominently on the agenda.

The Verdict | Africa is too big to remain a guest at the BRICS table

US President Donald Trump has hit back at the New York Times over an investigative report critical of the deteriorating condition of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, published on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Trump shared a post of US Department of the Interior on Truth Social early Sunday, which accused the Times of dedicating significant time and investigative resources to a story about a swimming pool liner on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack while not reporting the vandalism at the site.The Times reported that the internal government documents and statements from the project's contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, blamed design and construction error rather than vandalism. The plan reportedly used two incompatible chemicals, where the top layer reached a temperature which the compounds in the lower layer could not withstand, causing it to blister and come loose.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomat-child-abuse-images-secretly-flown-out-uk-1789305485905">US diplomat accused of possessing child abuse images secretly flown out of UK by US Marines</a>The Trump administration had previously attributed the bubbling, peeling, and green algae plaguing the pool's "American flag blue" liner to deliberate acts of vandalism executed by individuals using knives or box cutters. They also arrested former Olympian David Hearn in connection with it, but the Department of Justice later dropped charges, acknowledging that the structural damage was caused by flawed renovation work rather than criminal activity.The $16.4 million worth renovation was unveiled on June 6, but it had faced serious problems. By June 14, the blue colour of the pool turned green, which officials blamed on residual algae in the supply line. Authorities used hydrogen peroxide and ozone treatments to clear it. Then by June 18, the blue coating itself was peeling away. The Trump administration had awarded a $2.7 million contract to a Massachusetts company to try to fix the algae issue.&nbsp;

Donald Trump has hit back at the New York Times over a report linking damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to flawed renovation work rather than vandalism.

US President Donald Trump has hit back at the New York Times over an investigative report critical of the deteriorating condition of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, published on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Trump shared a post of US Department of the Interior on Truth Social early Sunday, which accused the Times of dedicating significant time and investigative resources to a story about a swimming pool liner on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack while not reporting the vandalism at the site. The Times reported that the internal government documents and statements from the project's contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, blamed design and construction error rather than vandalism. The plan reportedly used two incompatible chemicals, where the top layer reached a temperature which the compounds in the lower layer could not withstand, causing it to blister and come loose. Also Read: US diplomat accused of possessing child abuse images secretly flown out of UK by US Marines The Trump administration had previously attributed the bubbling, peeling, and green algae plaguing the pool's "American flag blue" liner to deliberate acts of vandalism executed by individuals using knives or box cutters. They also arrested former Olympian David Hearn in connection with it, but the Department of Justice later dropped charges, acknowledging that the structural damage was caused by flawed renovation work rather than criminal activity. The $16.4 million worth renovation was unveiled on June 6, but it had faced serious problems. By June 14, the blue colour of the pool turned green, which officials blamed on residual algae in the supply line. Authorities used hydrogen peroxide and ozone treatments to clear it. Then by June 18, the blue coating itself was peeling away. The Trump administration had awarded a $2.7 million contract to a Massachusetts company to try to fix the algae issue.

Donald Trump has hit back at the New York Times over a report linking damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to flawed renovation work rather than vandalism.

Trump defends Lincoln Memorial pool amid NYT report blaming renovation flaws, not vandalism

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman on Sunday and said that 3 Indian crew members have been rescued while search and rescue operations continue for one missing Indian national.&nbsp;The MEA said 14 Indians were onboard the vessel when the incident took place.&nbsp;“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman earlier today,” the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;“Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” it added.&nbsp;The MEA also thanked the Omani authorities for their support in rescuing the Indian nationals.&nbsp;We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and pursuance of dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace to the region, the MEA statement said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-s-big-ucc-deadline-all-21-nda-ruled-states-to-implement-law-by-2029-1789303324990">Amit Shah’s big UCC deadline: All 21 NDA-ruled states to implement law by 2029</a>&nbsp;“The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable. We also urge that free and safe navigation and flow of commerce through the international waterways in the region be restored at the earliest,” it added.&nbsp;At the BRICS Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted the attacks on sailors since the beginning of the West Asia conflict and proposed an emergency support network for seafarers to ensure their safety.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi extended the proposal while addressing foreign delegates during the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eam-jaishankar-meets-saudi-foreign-minister-for-bilateral-as-both-nations-seek-to-advance-cooperation-1789302835549">Jaishankar meets Saudi Foreign Minister for bilateral, both discuss ways to advance cooperation</a>&nbsp;Highlighting the role of sailors in terms of global trade, PM Modi said they “make a massive contribution.”&nbsp;The PM said that mariners often lack support in times of crisis and that the proposed network would help bridge the gap between maritime authorities and diplomatic missions by providing assistance to seafarers through distress alerts, medical aid, evacuations, and family notifications.&nbsp;Seafarers from several countries, including India, have come under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which is facing a blockade by both Iran and the US.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and said 14 Indians were onboard the commercial vessel when the attack took place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted the attacks on sailors and proposed an emergency support network to ensure the safety of seafarers.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman on Sunday and said that 3 Indian crew members have been rescued while search and rescue operations continue for one missing Indian national. The MEA said 14 Indians were onboard the vessel when the incident took place. “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman earlier today,” the ministry said in a statement. “Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” it added. The MEA also thanked the Omani authorities for their support in rescuing the Indian nationals. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and pursuance of dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace to the region, the MEA statement said. Also Read: Amit Shah’s big UCC deadline: All 21 NDA-ruled states to implement law by 2029 “The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable. We also urge that free and safe navigation and flow of commerce through the international waterways in the region be restored at the earliest,” it added. At the BRICS Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted the attacks on sailors since the beginning of the West Asia conflict and proposed an emergency support network for seafarers to ensure their safety. Prime Minister Modi extended the proposal while addressing foreign delegates during the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday. Also Read: Jaishankar meets Saudi Foreign Minister for bilateral, both discuss ways to advance cooperation Highlighting the role of sailors in terms of global trade, PM Modi said they “make a massive contribution.” The PM said that mariners often lack support in times of crisis and that the proposed network would help bridge the gap between maritime authorities and diplomatic missions by providing assistance to seafarers through distress alerts, medical aid, evacuations, and family notifications. Seafarers from several countries, including India, have come under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which is facing a blockade by both Iran and the US.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and said 14 Indians were onboard the commercial vessel when the attack took place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted the attacks on sailors and proposed an emergency support network to ensure the safety of seafarers.

India condemns attack on merchant vessel off Oman coast; 13 Indian crew rescued, one missing

The Kremlin on Sunday (Sep 13) said it was not ruling out the possibility of three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States as early as October, offering a fresh indication that diplomatic efforts to end the war could resume. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was open to the possibility of another round of negotiations in the “foreseeable future”. This comes as Washington continues efforts to revive talks that have stalled after several rounds failed to produce a breakthrough.“We do not rule out such a possibility; we are talking about the foreseeable future,” Peskov told journalists, according to Russia’s RIA and TASS news agencies.In recent weeks, the US has stepped up diplomatic efforts, with American negotiators travelling to both Kyiv and Moscow. US President Donald Trump has also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington attempts to find a path towards ending the conflict. Previous negotiations have made little progress, with Moscow and Kyiv remaining divided over several key issues, particularly territory.<h2>Zelensky, Putin meeting remains unlikely</h2>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (Sep 12) said that he would be prepared to meet Putin at the G20 summit in Miami in December. Moscow, however, quickly dismissed the prospect. Peskov told AFP in New Delhi on Saturday that such a meeting was “impossible”, reiterating Russia’s position that any direct meeting between the two leaders could only take place in Moscow.Putin has repeatedly rejected proposals for a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky, despite international efforts to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.<h2>Territorial dispute remains key hurdle</h2>The war has continued to exact a heavy toll, with both Russia and Ukraine intensifying long-range strikes in recent months. The escalation has contributed to the highest civilian death toll since the early stages of the conflict.Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Sunday that there was still no agreed framework for negotiations.“At present, there is the idea that we need to reach an agreement on the territorial issue. But there are also many other questions,” he said, adding that there was no “coordinated package” on which talks could currently be based.Moscow continues to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine, including areas in the east that Russian forces have not fully captured. That demand remains one of the biggest obstacles to a wider peace agreement.

The Kremlin said Russia is not ruling out three-way Ukraine peace talks with the US and Kyiv in October, but major disputes over territory and other issues remain unresolved.

The Kremlin on Sunday (Sep 13) said it was not ruling out the possibility of three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States as early as October, offering a fresh indication that diplomatic efforts to end the war could resume. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was open to the possibility of another round of negotiations in the “foreseeable future”. This comes as Washington continues efforts to revive talks that have stalled after several rounds failed to produce a breakthrough. “We do not rule out such a possibility; we are talking about the foreseeable future,” Peskov told journalists, according to Russia’s RIA and TASS news agencies. In recent weeks, the US has stepped up diplomatic efforts, with American negotiators travelling to both Kyiv and Moscow. US President Donald Trump has also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington attempts to find a path towards ending the conflict. Previous negotiations have made little progress, with Moscow and Kyiv remaining divided over several key issues, particularly territory. Zelensky, Putin meeting remains unlikely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (Sep 12) said that he would be prepared to meet Putin at the G20 summit in Miami in December. Moscow, however, quickly dismissed the prospect. Peskov told AFP in New Delhi on Saturday that such a meeting was “impossible”, reiterating Russia’s position that any direct meeting between the two leaders could only take place in Moscow. Putin has repeatedly rejected proposals for a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky, despite international efforts to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. Territorial dispute remains key hurdle The war has continued to exact a heavy toll, with both Russia and Ukraine intensifying long-range strikes in recent months. The escalation has contributed to the highest civilian death toll since the early stages of the conflict. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Sunday that there was still no agreed framework for negotiations. “At present, there is the idea that we need to reach an agreement on the territorial issue. But there are also many other questions,” he said, adding that there was no “coordinated package” on which talks could currently be based. Moscow continues to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine, including areas in the east that Russian forces have not fully captured. That demand remains one of the biggest obstacles to a wider peace agreement.

The Kremlin said Russia is not ruling out three-way Ukraine peace talks with the US and Kyiv in October, but major disputes over territory and other issues remain unresolved.

Russia-Ukraine-US talks in October? Kremlin says not ruling out possibility of trilateral

At least four people were killed, and a child was critically injured in a series of stabbings in Houma, Louisiana, on Saturday night, as police launched a search for a person of interest with a history of violent arrests. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office said deputies found “multiple deceased victims” at homes near the 200 block of Ashland Drive in Houma. A juvenile suffering from stab wounds was also found at the scene and rushed to the hospital.&nbsp;The child remains in critical condition, according to authorities. Police have identified 47-year-old Kaegan Jude Solet as a person of interest in the killings. Houma is located in southwest Louisiana, around 63 miles from New Orleans.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solid-as-a-rock-ex-labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-s-strip-club-visit-bodyguard-relationship-and-other-shocking-details-revealed-in-ig-report-1788518878716">‘Solid as a rock’: Ex-Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s strip club visit, bodyguard relationship and other shocking details revealed in IG report</a><h2>Person of interest has violent history</h2>Solet has been arrested several times over the past decade in connection with stabbing cases, including one involving a fatality. However, he has not been convicted in any of those cases. In January 2019, Solet was charged with the murder of Kemple Paul Scott Lovell, a homeless man who was found dead with several stab wounds in Houma, according to police.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lutnick-had-venezuela-on-his-mind-trump-says-18-were-killed-in-iran-conflict-contradicts-his-commerce-secretary-1788442497444">‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary</a>&nbsp;Authorities arrested Solet after receiving an anonymous tip. He was reportedly found hiding inside a shed behind a mobile home, about a block west of the area where Saturday night’s killings took place. However, a grand jury later declined to indict him, citing insufficient evidence.&nbsp;“Basically, the evidence we had that was presented to the grand jury wasn’t enough for them to come back with an indictment,” then First Assistant District Attorney Jason Dagate told the Houma Courier. He said the case was pretermitted, meaning more information was needed for the investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Four people were killed and a child was critically injured in a Houma, Louisiana stabbing spree. Police are searching for person of interest Kaegan Jude Solet, who has a violent history.

At least four people were killed, and a child was critically injured in a series of stabbings in Houma, Louisiana, on Saturday night, as police launched a search for a person of interest with a history of violent arrests. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office said deputies found “multiple deceased victims” at homes near the 200 block of Ashland Drive in Houma. A juvenile suffering from stab wounds was also found at the scene and rushed to the hospital. The child remains in critical condition, according to authorities. Police have identified 47-year-old Kaegan Jude Solet as a person of interest in the killings. Houma is located in southwest Louisiana, around 63 miles from New Orleans. Also read: ‘Solid as a rock’: Ex-Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s strip club visit, bodyguard relationship and other shocking details revealed in IG report Person of interest has violent history Solet has been arrested several times over the past decade in connection with stabbing cases, including one involving a fatality. However, he has not been convicted in any of those cases. In January 2019, Solet was charged with the murder of Kemple Paul Scott Lovell, a homeless man who was found dead with several stab wounds in Houma, according to police. Also read: ‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary Authorities arrested Solet after receiving an anonymous tip. He was reportedly found hiding inside a shed behind a mobile home, about a block west of the area where Saturday night’s killings took place. However, a grand jury later declined to indict him, citing insufficient evidence. “Basically, the evidence we had that was presented to the grand jury wasn’t enough for them to come back with an indictment,” then First Assistant District Attorney Jason Dagate told the Houma Courier. He said the case was pretermitted, meaning more information was needed for the investigation.

Four people were killed and a child was critically injured in a Houma, Louisiana stabbing spree. Police are searching for person of interest Kaegan Jude Solet, who has a violent history.

Louisiana stabbing spree leaves 4 dead, child critically injured as police hunt person of interest

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Sept 13) criticised those calling for a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) development, describing them as “negative” forces. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ireland, Trump said some critics were raising concerns about developments that he believed would not actually happen.&nbsp;“I think you have a lot of negative” forces “that are bringing it up that shouldn't be bringing it up, and they're bringing up things that won't happen,” he said.&nbsp;Trump said the US currently has an advantage over China in AI and stressed that maintaining that lead was crucial. He was responding to questions from reporters about whether the AI sector should face tighter regulations or slow its development.&nbsp;“We're leading China in AI. We're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters.&nbsp;His comments came a day after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on AI companies to slow the development of increasingly powerful systems and strengthen safeguards.&nbsp;Amodei on Saturday proposed a three-part plan aimed at controlling the pace of frontier AI development. He argued that AI systems are becoming capable of helping create more advanced models, raising concerns about how quickly the technology could progress.&nbsp;“We must pace the frontier,” Amodei wrote in an essay outlining his proposals.&nbsp;As part of his first proposal, Amodei called for independent third-party evaluators to receive permanent, employee-level access to frontier AI systems. He said these experts should be able to assess safety measures, report incidents and check whether models remain aligned with their intended goals during training.&nbsp;Amodei said AI companies should also work together on common safety standards and agree on limits to unchecked development. His third proposal called for greater international cooperation on advanced AI safety.&nbsp;He also urged democratic governments, including the US, to engage with authoritarian countries on AI safety, while recognising the difficulty of ensuring compliance with international agreements.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-takes-brics-chair-wars-trade-disruptions-and-local-currency-trade-in-focus-1789298580586">China takes BRICS chair: Wars, trade disruptions and local-currency trade in focus</a><h3>Sam Altman, Elon Musk back Amodei</h3>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman supported Amodei’s call for a more measured approach to frontier AI development.&nbsp;“I agree with Dario that we need to pace the frontier,” Altman wrote on X.&nbsp;Altman also backed the proposal for independent evaluators to have employee-like access to AI systems and said OpenAI would adopt a similar approach.&nbsp;Tesla CEO Elon Musk also endorsed Amodei’s position, writing, “Dario is right.”&nbsp;The debate comes as AI companies race to develop increasingly capable systems, while researchers and industry leaders remain divided over how quickly the technology should advance and what safeguards are needed to manage potential risks.

Trump dismissed concerns over the rapid development of AI and rejected calls from industry leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, to slow its progress and strengthen safeguards.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Sept 13) criticised those calling for a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) development, describing them as “negative” forces. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ireland, Trump said some critics were raising concerns about developments that he believed would not actually happen. “I think you have a lot of negative” forces “that are bringing it up that shouldn't be bringing it up, and they're bringing up things that won't happen,” he said. Trump said the US currently has an advantage over China in AI and stressed that maintaining that lead was crucial. He was responding to questions from reporters about whether the AI sector should face tighter regulations or slow its development. “We're leading China in AI. We're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters. His comments came a day after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on AI companies to slow the development of increasingly powerful systems and strengthen safeguards. Amodei on Saturday proposed a three-part plan aimed at controlling the pace of frontier AI development. He argued that AI systems are becoming capable of helping create more advanced models, raising concerns about how quickly the technology could progress. “We must pace the frontier,” Amodei wrote in an essay outlining his proposals. As part of his first proposal, Amodei called for independent third-party evaluators to receive permanent, employee-level access to frontier AI systems. He said these experts should be able to assess safety measures, report incidents and check whether models remain aligned with their intended goals during training. Amodei said AI companies should also work together on common safety standards and agree on limits to unchecked development. His third proposal called for greater international cooperation on advanced AI safety. He also urged democratic governments, including the US, to engage with authoritarian countries on AI safety, while recognising the difficulty of ensuring compliance with international agreements. Also Read: China takes BRICS chair: Wars, trade disruptions and local-currency trade in focus Sam Altman, Elon Musk back Amodei OpenAI CEO Sam Altman supported Amodei’s call for a more measured approach to frontier AI development. “I agree with Dario that we need to pace the frontier,” Altman wrote on X. Altman also backed the proposal for independent evaluators to have employee-like access to AI systems and said OpenAI would adopt a similar approach. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also endorsed Amodei’s position, writing, “Dario is right.” The debate comes as AI companies race to develop increasingly capable systems, while researchers and industry leaders remain divided over how quickly the technology should advance and what safeguards are needed to manage potential risks.

Trump dismissed concerns over the rapid development of AI and rejected calls from industry leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, to slow its progress and strengthen safeguards.

‘Whoever wins AI wins’: Trump brushes off fears, rejects AI bosses’ calls to slow development

A US diplomat working at the US embassy in London was accused of possessing indecent, sexually explicit content of children, was detained by US Marines and was secretly flown back to the US without the knowledge of the UK police. The diplomat allegedly received that content from his brother. The US authoriites belived to have sought a court order before storming the diplomat's residence in Putney on August 25.&nbsp;According to reports, child abuse images were found at his address before he was seized and taken to a US air base for extraction.&nbsp;Now UK officials and authorities are expressing outrage because the US Marines had no authority to seize him. They should have informed and coordinated with the Met Police. However, the Met police and other UK authorities were only informed of the details after the extraction.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-dhanbad-illegal-coal-mine-collapse-deaths-1789293394949">Illegal coal mine collapses in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, at least 2 dead; several feared trapped</a>According to the Flight data reviewed by the Sun shows that on August 24, the day before the dawn raid, Kalitta Air flight K49709 flew from Chicago to RAF Fairford, Gloucs, where the US Air Force has a large presence. On August 25, the same plane now K4529 was left Fairford at 5.33pm and arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware at 7.44pm local time after a seven-hour, 11-minute journey. Within four hours, the plane left Delaware and flew to O’Hare Airport in Chicago.“We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws. As a US investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” &nbsp;said a UK government spokesperson as reported by the Sun.“We are aware of allegations concerning an individual assigned to the Embassy. The United States government expects all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and we take these allegations seriously,” said a spokesperson of the US embassy in London.&nbsp;A US diplomatic source defended the extraction, “We acted decisively. If we had ceded ground and waited, there could have been delays and diplomacy that could have gone on for weeks or months.”This comes just ahead of the scheduled meeting between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A US diplomat accused of possessing child abuse images was secretly flown out of the UK by US Marines, triggering outrage among British officials.

A US diplomat working at the US embassy in London was accused of possessing indecent, sexually explicit content of children, was detained by US Marines and was secretly flown back to the US without the knowledge of the UK police. The diplomat allegedly received that content from his brother. The US authoriites belived to have sought a court order before storming the diplomat's residence in Putney on August 25. According to reports, child abuse images were found at his address before he was seized and taken to a US air base for extraction. Now UK officials and authorities are expressing outrage because the US Marines had no authority to seize him. They should have informed and coordinated with the Met Police. However, the Met police and other UK authorities were only informed of the details after the extraction. Also Read: Illegal coal mine collapses in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, at least 2 dead; several feared trapped According to the Flight data reviewed by the Sun shows that on August 24, the day before the dawn raid, Kalitta Air flight K49709 flew from Chicago to RAF Fairford, Gloucs, where the US Air Force has a large presence. On August 25, the same plane now K4529 was left Fairford at 5.33pm and arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware at 7.44pm local time after a seven-hour, 11-minute journey. Within four hours, the plane left Delaware and flew to O’Hare Airport in Chicago. “We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws. As a US investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” said a UK government spokesperson as reported by the Sun. “We are aware of allegations concerning an individual assigned to the Embassy. The United States government expects all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and we take these allegations seriously,” said a spokesperson of the US embassy in London. A US diplomatic source defended the extraction, “We acted decisively. If we had ceded ground and waited, there could have been delays and diplomacy that could have gone on for weeks or months.” This comes just ahead of the scheduled meeting between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump.

A US diplomat accused of possessing child abuse images was secretly flown out of the UK by US Marines, triggering outrage among British officials.

US diplomat accused of possessing child abuse images secretly flown out of UK by US Marines

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Sep 13) said that Tehran and Abu Dhabi want to “turn the page” after relations between Iran and the UAE deteriorated amid the war in the Middle East. His remarks come a day after he held bilateral talks with Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). Their meeting raised the possibility of India acting as a bridge between the two Gulf nations amid conflict.“For the first time since the war and the incidents that occurred in the Persian Gulf, we had a constructive exchange with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi,” Pezeshkian said in New Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13).&nbsp;“It was agreed that we would turn the page, look to the future and build it together,” he added.<h2>Pezeshkian, UAE Crown Prince bilateral meet</h2>In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said that the Crown Prince and the Iranian president held talks over regional and international issues. The two leaders also discussed the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions and achieving stability in the region.“Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, discusses with the Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a number of regional and international issues, and the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions, and achieving stability in the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for peace and development for its peoples, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India,” the statement read.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and discussed regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability, and efforts to advance regional peace and development. <a href="https://t.co/vEWoB6u1pt">pic.twitter.com/vEWoB6u1pt</a>&mdash; مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) <a href="https://x.com/ADMediaOffice/status/2098745662561309069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Can India bridge the gap?</h2>On Friday (Sep 11), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Pezeshkian, during which PM Modi stated India’s firm position for “dialogue and diplomacy” to reach a solution. He also raised New Delhi’s concerns over the protection of Indian seafarers and commercial vessels. He stressed that freedom of navigation and commerce should not be disrupted due to ongoing war.According to the MEA, PM Modi and Pezeshkian “exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia. Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran and Abu Dhabi agreed to “turn the page” and build a future together after BRICS talks in New Delhi.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Sep 13) said that Tehran and Abu Dhabi want to “turn the page” after relations between Iran and the UAE deteriorated amid the war in the Middle East. His remarks come a day after he held bilateral talks with Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 12). Their meeting raised the possibility of India acting as a bridge between the two Gulf nations amid conflict. “For the first time since the war and the incidents that occurred in the Persian Gulf, we had a constructive exchange with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi,” Pezeshkian said in New Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13). “It was agreed that we would turn the page, look to the future and build it together,” he added. Pezeshkian, UAE Crown Prince bilateral meet In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said that the Crown Prince and the Iranian president held talks over regional and international issues. The two leaders also discussed the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions and achieving stability in the region. “Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, discusses with the Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a number of regional and international issues, and the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions, and achieving stability in the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for peace and development for its peoples, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India,” the statement read.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran and Abu Dhabi agreed to “turn the page” and build a future together after BRICS talks in New Delhi.

Iran-UAE thaw after BRICS talks in India? Pezeshkian says Tehran and Abu Dhabi to ‘turn the page’

The 18th BRICS Summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship. The bloc’s 11 members, partner countries and outreach invitees have come together to mark the event. According to experts the summit has been hugely successful. This can be gauged from the fact that all member countries and invitees unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026.&nbsp;The declaration raised concerns over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.&nbsp;The breakthrough significant as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, having deep differences and competing positions on several regional and geopolitical issues agreed to the declaration.There were also bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping.&nbsp;Taking about the success of the Summit Former MoS External Affairs and senior journalist MJ Akbar in an interview with The Sunday Guardian said, "the leadership provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, good institution always gets and asked by the quality of leadership. his principle stance that war is not a solution is not an easy task when half the world is at war but he has done so against the views of skeptics."&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-calls-for-time-bound-action-on-new-delhi-declaration-extends-best-wishes-to-china-for-brics-chairship-1789294374341">PM Modi calls for time-bound action on New Delhi Declaration, extends best wishes to China for BRICS chairship</a>&nbsp;"He has also taken a very important stand which has already reflected in the India, Russia talks which is that the world cannot be held ransom to one currency," Akbar further said.&nbsp;He further said that "sanctions and tariffs regime" are no more a threat to the BRICS countries . Nobody wants to exclude America from the table but US also must have to get a message that it has to cooperate in finding solutions for a better and more cooperative world. The era of unilateral decision making has to come to an end.&nbsp;He then said PM Modi and Iranian President's picture walking together holding hands should radiate across several centers.&nbsp;“The economic prosperity as well as the security of the whole world is extraordinarily interlinked that the world cannot be run by dictation. This Summit has hit a critical mass not only because of the will and wish of its members but because of the world situation. The world at the moment is facing a continuous and a continual war which has started from Eurasia and reached the Arabian &nbsp;Sea and is threatening to flare eastwards,” said Akbar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Modi has also taken a very important stand which has already reflected in the India, Russia talks which is that the world cannot be held ransom to one currency," Akbar said.

The 18th BRICS Summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairmanship. The bloc’s 11 members, partner countries and outreach invitees have come together to mark the event. According to experts the summit has been hugely successful. This can be gauged from the fact that all member countries and invitees unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026. The declaration raised concerns over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation. The breakthrough significant as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, having deep differences and competing positions on several regional and geopolitical issues agreed to the declaration. There were also bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping. Taking about the success of the Summit Former MoS External Affairs and senior journalist MJ Akbar in an interview with The Sunday Guardian said, "the leadership provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, good institution always gets and asked by the quality of leadership. his principle stance that war is not a solution is not an easy task when half the world is at war but he has done so against the views of skeptics." ALSO READ: PM Modi calls for time-bound action on New Delhi Declaration, extends best wishes to China for BRICS chairship "He has also taken a very important stand which has already reflected in the India, Russia talks which is that the world cannot be held ransom to one currency," Akbar further said. He further said that "sanctions and tariffs regime" are no more a threat to the BRICS countries . Nobody wants to exclude America from the table but US also must have to get a message that it has to cooperate in finding solutions for a better and more cooperative world. The era of unilateral decision making has to come to an end. He then said PM Modi and Iranian President's picture walking together holding hands should radiate across several centers. “The economic prosperity as well as the security of the whole world is extraordinarily interlinked that the world cannot be run by dictation. This Summit has hit a critical mass not only because of the will and wish of its members but because of the world situation. The world at the moment is facing a continuous and a continual war which has started from Eurasia and reached the Arabian Sea and is threatening to flare eastwards,” said Akbar.

"Modi has also taken a very important stand which has already reflected in the India, Russia talks which is that the world cannot be held ransom to one currency," Akbar said.

The rise of benevolent power: What BRICS Summit means for host nation India

A Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound passenger train in western Ukraine on Sunday (Sep 13), hitting its locomotive just two kilometres from the Polish border, Ukrainian and Polish officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident, which disrupted a service carrying 206 passengers. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of “deliberately” targeting the train as Russia stepped up attacks on railway and energy infrastructure across the country.“All necessary services are working near the Polish-Ukrainian border in Volyn, where the Russians deliberately burned a train locomotive and damaged a gas station in a drone strike,” Zelensky said.The train, operated by Poland’s PKP Intercity, was travelling from Kyiv to Warsaw. The service was delayed by more than six hours before passengers could continue their journey following border checks.Zelensky said Russian strikes had also hit railway and energy facilities and ordinary buildings in western Ukraine.“It is precisely to prevent these strikes from spreading further into Europe that Ukrainian men and women fight every day, give their lives, and do not allow the aggression to expand,” he said.<h2>Second drone reported near border crossing</h2>Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said a separate drone struck near the Dorohusk-Yagodyn border crossing, while another hit the passenger train.“We are treating these events with the utmost seriousness. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis,” Kierwinski said.<h2>Ukraine warns of wider railway attack</h2>Ukraine’s state railway service said the country was facing a “systemic” Russian attack on its rail network. It placed its monitoring centre and staff on high alert and said services were being rerouted in the Dnipro region, warning of possible delays and evacuations.The strikes came days after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Moscow and Kyiv as Washington sought to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war.At least two civilians were also killed in Russian strikes elsewhere in Ukraine on Sunday, according to Ukrainian authorities.

A Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound train carrying 206 passengers near Poland’s border with Ukraine. Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately targeting the train, but no casualties were reported.

A Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound passenger train in western Ukraine on Sunday (Sep 13), hitting its locomotive just two kilometres from the Polish border, Ukrainian and Polish officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident, which disrupted a service carrying 206 passengers. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of “deliberately” targeting the train as Russia stepped up attacks on railway and energy infrastructure across the country. “All necessary services are working near the Polish-Ukrainian border in Volyn, where the Russians deliberately burned a train locomotive and damaged a gas station in a drone strike,” Zelensky said. The train, operated by Poland’s PKP Intercity, was travelling from Kyiv to Warsaw. The service was delayed by more than six hours before passengers could continue their journey following border checks. Zelensky said Russian strikes had also hit railway and energy facilities and ordinary buildings in western Ukraine. “It is precisely to prevent these strikes from spreading further into Europe that Ukrainian men and women fight every day, give their lives, and do not allow the aggression to expand,” he said. Second drone reported near border crossing Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said a separate drone struck near the Dorohusk-Yagodyn border crossing, while another hit the passenger train. “We are treating these events with the utmost seriousness. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis,” Kierwinski said. Ukraine warns of wider railway attack Ukraine’s state railway service said the country was facing a “systemic” Russian attack on its rail network. It placed its monitoring centre and staff on high alert and said services were being rerouted in the Dnipro region, warning of possible delays and evacuations. The strikes came days after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Moscow and Kyiv as Washington sought to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war. At least two civilians were also killed in Russian strikes elsewhere in Ukraine on Sunday, according to Ukrainian authorities.

A Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound train carrying 206 passengers near Poland’s border with Ukraine. Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately targeting the train, but no casualties were reported.

Russian drone hits Warsaw-bound train near Polish border, Zelensky accuses Moscow of ‘deliberate’ targeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. In the last three days, PM Modi held 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, besides several pull-aside meetings with world leaders and international institutions. On day two, the Indian prime minister held talks with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Indonesia, Philippines, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. Earlier on Friday (Sep 11) and Saturday (Sep 12), PM Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.<h2>PM Modi meets South Africa’s Ramaphosa</h2>PM Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review the “full breadth” of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered the India-SACU trade agreement, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies and skilling.“Our partnership is rooted in history and firmly focused on the future,” PM Modi said, adding that India would work with South Africa on Africa’s progress, Global South priorities and a more balanced global order.The group was initially called BRIC with founding members India, China, Russia, and Brazil, but was later renamed to BRICS after South Africa joined the bloc in 2010. The group now has 11 full member countries and 10 official partner nations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delighted to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Delhi. We reviewed the full breadth of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership including: The India-SACU trade agreement. Mining and critical minerals. Infrastructure. Food security.… <a href="https://t.co/8NcemThBdq">pic.twitter.com/8NcemThBdq</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2099112559182053782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>PM Modi holds series of bilaterals on Day 2</h2>PM Modi also met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, describing the interaction as a “lovely” catch-up. The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Indonesia partnership across a range of sectors.With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, PM Modi discussed regional issues and the growing India-Egypt friendship.Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was another key interlocutor. PM Modi said the two leaders reviewed the momentum in their Strategic Partnership, with economic linkages, technology, trade, space, innovation and creative industries among the focus areas. They also discussed strengthening India-ASEAN engagement.PM Modi separately met Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, recalling his 2018 visit to Uganda and the Kampala Principles guiding India’s engagement with Africa. Healthcare, agriculture, digital technologies and capacity building featured in their discussions.PM Modi met Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye and congratulated him on Burundi assuming the African Union chair. The two sides discussed development cooperation, capacity building, youth skilling, agriculture and clean energy.Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on his first India visit as president, held talks with PM Modi on giving fresh momentum to the strategic partnership, including trade, investment, energy, technology and connectivity.PM Modi also met Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima. Their discussions covered trade, power, clean energy, fertilisers, defence, health, technology and capacity building.&nbsp;

PM Modi held eight bilaterals with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Uganda, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria on Day 2 of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. In the last three days, PM Modi held 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, besides several pull-aside meetings with world leaders and international institutions. On day two, the Indian prime minister held talks with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Indonesia, Philippines, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. Earlier on Friday (Sep 11) and Saturday (Sep 12), PM Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. PM Modi meets South Africa’s Ramaphosa PM Modi met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review the “full breadth” of the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered the India-SACU trade agreement, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, food security, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies and skilling. “Our partnership is rooted in history and firmly focused on the future,” PM Modi said, adding that India would work with South Africa on Africa’s progress, Global South priorities and a more balanced global order. The group was initially called BRIC with founding members India, China, Russia, and Brazil, but was later renamed to BRICS after South Africa joined the bloc in 2010. The group now has 11 full member countries and 10 official partner nations.

PM Modi held eight bilaterals with leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Uganda, Burundi, Kazakhstan and Nigeria on Day 2 of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

BRICS Summit Day 2: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Ramaphosa, other leaders

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.&nbsp;Jaishankar later shared that they exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments and discussed ways to advance bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;“Pleased to meet FM Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan on the sidelines of #BRICSIndia2026. Exchanged perspectives on regional &amp; global developments, as well as on advancing our bilateral cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.&nbsp;The meeting comes as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pleased to meet FM Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud <a href="https://x.com/FaisalbinFarhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FaisalbinFarhan</a> on the sidelines of <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BRICSIndia2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRICSIndia2026</a>. Exchanged perspectives on regional &amp; global developments, as well as on advancing our bilateral cooperation. 🇮🇳 🇸🇦 <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BRICS2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRICS2026</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/IndiaBRICSChairship?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaBRICSChairship</a> <a href="https://t.co/3FSfWiyBTp">pic.twitter.com/3FSfWiyBTp</a>&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2099083776626397493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS Summit 2026 on behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Foreign Minister was the last leader to arrive and attended the outreach summit on Sunday. Saudi Arabia is participating in the summit as an invited country. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived after the Abu Dhabi crown prince had departed New Delhi. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr on the sidelines of the summit. Addressing the open session of the BRICS Summit on Sunday, PM Modi said the world now expects “concrete results” from the grouping as it enters its third decade. “BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” PM Modi said, as he extended his best wishes to China, which will host the next BRICS Summit in 2027.PM Modi commended all leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success. BRICS leaders on Sunday held a session on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”. PM Modi said the trust of Global South nations in BRICS had grown and highlighted initiatives related to disaster management, MSME cooperation and the environment. Earlier on Thursday, Indian Ambassador Vipul met Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defence, Khaled bin Hussain Al Biyari. They discussed India–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh was also on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from September 5-8.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS Summit 2026 on behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Foreign Minister was the last leader to arrive and attended the outreach summit on Sunday. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Jaishankar later shared that they exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments and discussed ways to advance bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. “Pleased to meet FM Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan on the sidelines of #BRICSIndia2026. Exchanged perspectives on regional & global developments, as well as on advancing our bilateral cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X. The meeting comes as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit under its chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS Summit 2026 on behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Foreign Minister was the last leader to arrive and attended the outreach summit on Sunday.&nbsp;

EAM Jaishankar meets Saudi Foreign Minister for bilateral, both discuss ways to advance cooperation

Iran and Oman have agreed on the details of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and will brief the Gulf countries on the details at an upcoming regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, reported Iranian semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced that foreign ministers of the regional Arab countries would meet in Oman to agree on the Hormuz route and communicate the arrangement to the international maritime body.Under the new agreement, the entry route from the Gulf will sit entirely within Iran's territorial waters, while a section of the exit route also falls “within Iranian territorial waters”, Tasnim reported, quoting sources. Once the system is agreed upon the southern route of Hormuz will be closed directly against the demand of the United States.&nbsp;Further, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the agreement with the Sultanate of Oman should in no way be interpreted as meaning that the strait would be reopened. He stated that the Iranian condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz is for the “US to return to its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-dhanbad-illegal-coal-mine-collapse-deaths-1789293394949">Illegal coal mine collapses in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, at least 2 dead; several feared trapped</a><h2>Tension continues in the Strait of Hormuz&nbsp;</h2>Earlier on Sunday, an Iranian commercial vessel was struck off southern Iran, killing one and injuring four others, according to Iranian state media, citing the governor of Qeshm county. Hossein Amirteimouri, governor of Qeshm, told Tasnim that a projectile was fired by the “American-Zionist enemy”. Qeshm Island is located near the city of Bandar Abbas and is key to Iran's assertion of authority in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, on Sunday, the maritime tracker UKMTO received new reports of a separate attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Neither the US military or Iranian military claimed either of the attacks.&nbsp;

Iran and Oman have agreed on navigation details in the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran says the arrangement does not mean the strategic waterway will reopen.

Iran and Oman have agreed on the details of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and will brief the Gulf countries on the details at an upcoming regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, reported Iranian semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced that foreign ministers of the regional Arab countries would meet in Oman to agree on the Hormuz route and communicate the arrangement to the international maritime body. Under the new agreement, the entry route from the Gulf will sit entirely within Iran's territorial waters, while a section of the exit route also falls “within Iranian territorial waters”, Tasnim reported, quoting sources. Once the system is agreed upon the southern route of Hormuz will be closed directly against the demand of the United States. Further, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the agreement with the Sultanate of Oman should in no way be interpreted as meaning that the strait would be reopened. He stated that the Iranian condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz is for the “US to return to its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.” Also Read: Illegal coal mine collapses in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, at least 2 dead; several feared trapped Tension continues in the Strait of Hormuz Earlier on Sunday, an Iranian commercial vessel was struck off southern Iran, killing one and injuring four others, according to Iranian state media, citing the governor of Qeshm county. Hossein Amirteimouri, governor of Qeshm, told Tasnim that a projectile was fired by the “American-Zionist enemy”. Qeshm Island is located near the city of Bandar Abbas and is key to Iran's assertion of authority in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, on Sunday, the maritime tracker UKMTO received new reports of a separate attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Neither the US military or Iranian military claimed either of the attacks.

Iran and Oman have agreed on navigation details in the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran says the arrangement does not mean the strategic waterway will reopen.

Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz navigation, entry route entirely in Iranian waters

The BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi will be remembered as the germinating ground for future growth of the grouping. Several political and economic aspects could get a fillip in the coming years, from local-currency use and payment interoperability to institutional deepening. Progress is slow, but real. The only thing holding BRICS back from achieving its full potential is the need for consensus-based decision-making in a diverse grouping. Here is how things are likely to shape up.<h2>Partner-country expansion</h2>The partner-country tier created at the 2024 Kazan Summit was a response to demand from more than 30 interested nations. There are now 11 full members: the original five — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are the 10 partner countries, which can attend summits and foreign ministers’ meetings, endorse declarations and join select working groups.&nbsp;The partner model is an influence multiplier. Countries like Nigeria and Thailand are likely to become full members under criteria emphasising geographic balance, good relations with all members, UN membership, support for multilateral reforms. The stress is on criteria-driven expansion. When new nations join either as full members or partners, BRICS’ reach will grow further into Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America. This will boost the collective GDP, which is already around 40 per cent of the world in terms of purchasing power parity, as well as the grouping’s population, energy and minerals weight, and intra-group trade leverage.But expansion could come with slow decision-making and internal tensions, particularly given the shifting China-India dynamics. Nevertheless, further expansion will give BRICS more leverage as a broader Global South platform.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/did-brics-summit-2026-prove-that-an-11-member-bloc-with-india-and-china-in-it-can-still-agree-on-key-issues-1789292891454">Did BRICS Summit 2026 prove that an 11-member bloc with India and China in it can still agree on key issues?</a><h2>Dedollarisation: The reality check</h2>While dedollarisation was a buzzword for some time, the stress is on mitigation and diversification, not a coordinated assault to dethrone the fiat currency of the world. The 2025 Rio de Janeiro and 2026 New Delhi summits stressed more practical local-currency trade mechanisms while respecting national priorities.Intra-BRICS local-currency settlement has risen significantly. Such bilateral trade accounts for nearly 90 per cent in case of some member states. Bilateral swaps between countries such as China and Brazil are growing. Gold accumulation by BRICS members' central banks, along with a reduced dollar share in some payments, is contributing to these alternative arrangements.Dollar dominance in global reserves is not easy to remove. The high levels of local-currency bilateral trade involve countries sanctioned by the US or the West, such as Russia and Iran, while China also faces growing trade and technology restrictions.&nbsp;There are issues of trust, convertibility and liquidity that could prevent full dedollarisation. In the next few years, growth in local-currency trade and financing will continue. Non-dollar energy and commodity deals could become more frequent.A multipolar payments landscape under the BRICS Payments mechanism is the more likely outcome, where the dollar coexists with the renminbi, rupee, rouble and other local currencies. The countries are looking to reduce vulnerability to sanctions and volatility rather than eliminate dollar use.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-big-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283084511/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-big-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283084511/embed</a><h2>Common currency appears to be stalled due to trust deficit</h2>A common BRICS currency, while actively discussed in the media, is not a priority. There are near-term political and economic hurdles, mainly the trust deficit among BRICS members such as India and China. Ahead of the summit, India said there was no proposal for a BRICS currency as of now. In the past, both Brazil and Russia had proposed common reference units, mainly involving gold and currency baskets. But these remain at the conceptual or pilot stage.The problem is the diversity of the BRICS economies. They have different inflation rates, monetary regimes, capital controls, convertibility and fiscal policies. India prefers complementarity with existing systems rather than an outright euro-like currency. Given this, creating a credible currency will need institutional integration far beyond mere consensus. Therefore, the focus is likely to continue on national currencies and interoperability.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-2026-pm-modi-praises-india-s-chairmanship-sends-critical-minerals-and-supply-chain-message-on-day-2-china-xi-jinping-present-1789277773320">BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' and 'supply chain' message on Day 2 in front of China's Xi</a><h2>Trade and payment mechanisms: An area of promise</h2>Trade and payment mechanisms are the most active issues when it comes to economic cooperation. The member states are keen to reduce costs, risks and intermediary dependence through local-currency settlements and linking existing rails rather than building a single rival to the SWIFT payment system. There is support for bilateral settlement systems, swaps and clearing arrangements. The BRICS Payment Task Force (BPTF) continues work on cross-border solutions that are fast, low-cost, inclusive, efficient, transparent and secure.The focus will continue to be on creating linkages between fast digital payment systems such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Brazil’s Pix, as well as exploring central bank digital currency (CBDC) interoperability. Pilot projects are ongoing for BRICS Pay, a decentralised messaging and gateway system linking national payment systems. BRICS Bridge, a multi-CBDC settlement system inspired by mBridge, as well as BRICS Clear, a settlement and depositary infrastructure, are ideas being explored.<h2>New Development Bank: Emerging as BRICS core</h2>From an idea whose time has come, the New Development Bank (NDB) is emerging as a core BRICS institution. By the middle of 2026, NDB’s cumulative approvals had neared $44 billion.Projects span infrastructure and sustainability. Local-currency financing had risen to around 29 per cent of the total portfolio by the end of 2025.More than a political bloc, the BRICS story is one of financial evolution supporting a more multipolar order through practical tools that enhance member autonomy and South-South connectivity. The payment systems and NDB are among the institutions that will deliver tangible value to the grouping, much more than a common currency and rapid dedollarisation.&nbsp;The future will depend on the external environment, particularly US policies, and cohesion among BRICS members.For BRICS, it is an alternative world order, not a New World Order.

BRICS is moving towards partner-country expansion, local-currency trade, interoperable payment systems and stronger NDB financing. There is a sense to prioritise practical financial tools over a common currency or rapid dedollarisation.

The BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi will be remembered as the germinating ground for future growth of the grouping. Several political and economic aspects could get a fillip in the coming years, from local-currency use and payment interoperability to institutional deepening. Progress is slow, but real. The only thing holding BRICS back from achieving its full potential is the need for consensus-based decision-making in a diverse grouping. Here is how things are likely to shape up. Partner-country expansion The partner-country tier created at the 2024 Kazan Summit was a response to demand from more than 30 interested nations. There are now 11 full members: the original five — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are the 10 partner countries, which can attend summits and foreign ministers’ meetings, endorse declarations and join select working groups. The partner model is an influence multiplier. Countries like Nigeria and Thailand are likely to become full members under criteria emphasising geographic balance, good relations with all members, UN membership, support for multilateral reforms. The stress is on criteria-driven expansion. When new nations join either as full members or partners, BRICS’ reach will grow further into Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America. This will boost the collective GDP, which is already around 40 per cent of the world in terms of purchasing power parity, as well as the grouping’s population, energy and minerals weight, and intra-group trade leverage. But expansion could come with slow decision-making and internal tensions, particularly given the shifting China-India dynamics. Nevertheless, further expansion will give BRICS more leverage as a broader Global South platform. Also read: Did BRICS Summit 2026 prove that an 11-member bloc with India and China in it can still agree on key issues? Dedollarisation: The reality check While dedollarisation was a buzzword for some time, the stress is on mitigation and diversification, not a coordinated assault to dethrone the fiat currency of the world. The 2025 Rio de Janeiro and 2026 New Delhi summits stressed more practical local-currency trade mechanisms while respecting national priorities. Intra-BRICS local-currency settlement has risen significantly. Such bilateral trade accounts for nearly 90 per cent in case of some member states. Bilateral swaps between countries such as China and Brazil are growing. Gold accumulation by BRICS members' central banks, along with a reduced dollar share in some payments, is contributing to these alternative arrangements. Dollar dominance in global reserves is not easy to remove. The high levels of local-currency bilateral trade involve countries sanctioned by the US or the West, such as Russia and Iran, while China also faces growing trade and technology restrictions. There are issues of trust, convertibility and liquidity that could prevent full dedollarisation. In the next few years, growth in local-currency trade and financing will continue. Non-dollar energy and commodity deals could become more frequent. A multipolar payments landscape under the BRICS Payments mechanism is the more likely outcome, where the dollar coexists with the renminbi, rupee, rouble and other local currencies. The countries are looking to reduce vulnerability to sanctions and volatility rather than eliminate dollar use. https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-big-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283084511/embed Common currency appears to be stalled due to trust deficit A common BRICS currency, while actively discussed in the media, is not a priority. There are near-term political and economic hurdles, mainly the trust deficit among BRICS members such as India and China. Ahead of the summit, India said there was no proposal for a BRICS currency as of now. In the past, both Brazil and Russia had proposed common reference units, mainly involving gold and currency baskets. But these remain at the conceptual or pilot stage. The problem is the diversity of the BRICS economies. They have different inflation rates, monetary regimes, capital controls, convertibility and fiscal policies. India prefers complementarity with existing systems rather than an outright euro-like currency. Given this, creating a credible currency will need institutional integration far beyond mere consensus. Therefore, the focus is likely to continue on national currencies and interoperability. Also read: BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' and 'supply chain' message on Day 2 in front of China's Xi Trade and payment mechanisms: An area of promise Trade and payment mechanisms are the most active issues when it comes to economic cooperation. The member states are keen to reduce costs, risks and intermediary dependence through local-currency settlements and linking existing rails rather than building a single rival to the SWIFT payment system. There is support for bilateral settlement systems, swaps and clearing arrangements. The BRICS Payment Task Force (BPTF) continues work on cross-border solutions that are fast, low-cost, inclusive, efficient, transparent and secure. The focus will continue to be on creating linkages between fast digital payment systems such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Brazil’s Pix, as well as exploring central bank digital currency (CBDC) interoperability. Pilot projects are ongoing for BRICS Pay, a decentralised messaging and gateway system linking national payment systems. BRICS Bridge, a multi-CBDC settlement system inspired by mBridge, as well as BRICS Clear, a settlement and depositary infrastructure, are ideas being explored. New Development Bank: Emerging as BRICS core From an idea whose time has come, the New Development Bank (NDB) is emerging as a core BRICS institution. By the middle of 2026, NDB’s cumulative approvals had neared $44 billion. Projects span infrastructure and sustainability. Local-currency financing had risen to around 29 per cent of the total portfolio by the end of 2025. More than a political bloc, the BRICS story is one of financial evolution supporting a more multipolar order through practical tools that enhance member autonomy and South-South connectivity. The payment systems and NDB are among the institutions that will deliver tangible value to the grouping, much more than a common currency and rapid dedollarisation. The future will depend on the external environment, particularly US policies, and cohesion among BRICS members. For BRICS, it is an alternative world order, not a New World Order.

BRICS is moving towards partner-country expansion, local-currency trade, interoperable payment systems and stronger NDB financing. There is a sense to prioritise practical financial tools over a common currency or rapid dedollarisation.

BRICS of the future: From partner country expansion to trade mechanisms - what could change, what might not

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his best wishes to China as Beijing prepares to take over the BRICS chairship and host the grouping’s next summit in 2027. His message came as BRICS enters its third decade, with Modi stressing that the grouping must now deliver “concrete results” rather than remain limited to ideas and commitments.&nbsp;Addressing the open session on the second day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the world would increasingly judge the grouping by the outcomes it delivers.&nbsp;“BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” Modi said.&nbsp;He also commended the participating leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success and wished China well as the next host.<h3>West Asia war puts supply chains and Hormuz on agenda</h3>China will take charge of an expanded BRICS bloc at a time when geopolitical conflicts are increasingly affecting trade, energy flows and maritime security.&nbsp;The New Delhi Declaration reflected these concerns, with BRICS leaders expressing deep concern over escalating violence in West Asia and calling for maximum restraint from all parties to prevent further widening of the conflict.&nbsp;The declaration also raised concerns over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency.&nbsp;For BRICS, the conflict has implications beyond West Asia. The declaration stressed the need to protect global supply chains, strengthen maritime security and ensure uninterrupted energy flows through strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Disruptions along key shipping routes can affect energy prices, trade flows and the movement of goods across economies. The conflict has also increased concerns over the safety of seafarers operating around strategically important maritime routes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-calls-for-time-bound-action-on-new-delhi-declaration-extends-best-wishes-to-china-for-brics-chairship-1789294374341">PM Modi calls for time-bound action on New Delhi Declaration, extends best wishes to China for BRICS chairship</a>&nbsp;<h3>China takes charge of bloc dominated by its economic weight</h3>&nbsp;The China presidency is significant because Beijing has a dominant economic position within the expanded BRICS grouping.&nbsp;China accounts for more than half of the bloc’s nominal GDP. With a nominal GDP of around $19.6 trillion, its economy is several times larger than India’s, the second-largest BRICS economy. On a purchasing power parity basis, China also accounts for a substantial share of the grouping’s total output.&nbsp;This economic weight gives Beijing considerable influence, but it also places greater responsibility on China to balance the interests of members with different economic priorities and strategic positions.&nbsp;The Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia conflict could prove particularly challenging. Russia remains directly involved in the Ukraine conflict, while Iran is at the centre of the West Asia crisis. The conflict has also affected other BRICS members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, through higher energy prices, trade disruptions and maritime security concerns.&nbsp;China will therefore have to maintain consensus within a bloc whose members have different positions on major geopolitical conflicts.<h3>Payments, local currencies gain momentum</h3>The financial agenda at the New Delhi Summit also offers China an opportunity to push practical economic cooperation.&nbsp;While the idea of reducing dependence on the US dollar and a possible common BRICS currency has attracted attention, the New Delhi Declaration did not endorse a common currency. Instead, members backed greater use of national currencies in trade and investment and efforts to improve the interoperability of payment systems.&nbsp;The BRICS Payment Task Force has been examining ways to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more accessible, transparent and secure. The declaration also noted work on interoperable payment and messaging channels.&nbsp;The approach could prove more achievable than creating a single BRICS currency. Greater use of national currencies and better-connected payment systems could reduce transaction costs and provide members with alternatives for cross-border trade.<h3>BRICS members carry common concerns into G20</h3>BRICS priorities are also likely to overlap with discussions at the G20, particularly on trade, global governance and the concerns of developing economies.&nbsp;Six of the 11 BRICS members are individual G20 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Indonesia. This gives the bloc significant representation in the wider global economic forum.&nbsp;The weaponisation of trade, ongoing wars, supply-chain disruptions and greater representation for the Global South in institutions such as the United Nations, UN Security Council and World Trade Organization are likely to remain key issues.&nbsp;As China begins its BRICS presidency, Beijing will therefore face the challenge of converting the grouping’s growing economic and political weight into coordinated action.&nbsp;The New Delhi Summit has already identified several practical areas, including local-currency trade, cross-border payments, supply-chain resilience and maritime security.&nbsp;The expectation set by Modi is clear: BRICS must now move from commitments to “concrete results”.

As China takes over the BRICS chairship, the grouping faces the challenge of turning its growing economic weight into practical cooperation on conflicts, supply chains, maritime security and cross-border payments while expanding the use of local currencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his best wishes to China as Beijing prepares to take over the BRICS chairship and host the grouping’s next summit in 2027. His message came as BRICS enters its third decade, with Modi stressing that the grouping must now deliver “concrete results” rather than remain limited to ideas and commitments. Addressing the open session on the second day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the world would increasingly judge the grouping by the outcomes it delivers. “BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” Modi said. He also commended the participating leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success and wished China well as the next host. West Asia war puts supply chains and Hormuz on agenda China will take charge of an expanded BRICS bloc at a time when geopolitical conflicts are increasingly affecting trade, energy flows and maritime security. The New Delhi Declaration reflected these concerns, with BRICS leaders expressing deep concern over escalating violence in West Asia and calling for maximum restraint from all parties to prevent further widening of the conflict. The declaration also raised concerns over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency. For BRICS, the conflict has implications beyond West Asia. The declaration stressed the need to protect global supply chains, strengthen maritime security and ensure uninterrupted energy flows through strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions along key shipping routes can affect energy prices, trade flows and the movement of goods across economies. The conflict has also increased concerns over the safety of seafarers operating around strategically important maritime routes. Also Read: PM Modi calls for time-bound action on New Delhi Declaration, extends best wishes to China for BRICS chairship China takes charge of bloc dominated by its economic weight The China presidency is significant because Beijing has a dominant economic position within the expanded BRICS grouping. China accounts for more than half of the bloc’s nominal GDP. With a nominal GDP of around $19.6 trillion, its economy is several times larger than India’s, the second-largest BRICS economy. On a purchasing power parity basis, China also accounts for a substantial share of the grouping’s total output. This economic weight gives Beijing considerable influence, but it also places greater responsibility on China to balance the interests of members with different economic priorities and strategic positions. The Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia conflict could prove particularly challenging. Russia remains directly involved in the Ukraine conflict, while Iran is at the centre of the West Asia crisis. The conflict has also affected other BRICS members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, through higher energy prices, trade disruptions and maritime security concerns. China will therefore have to maintain consensus within a bloc whose members have different positions on major geopolitical conflicts. Payments, local currencies gain momentum The financial agenda at the New Delhi Summit also offers China an opportunity to push practical economic cooperation. While the idea of reducing dependence on the US dollar and a possible common BRICS currency has attracted attention, the New Delhi Declaration did not endorse a common currency. Instead, members backed greater use of national currencies in trade and investment and efforts to improve the interoperability of payment systems. The BRICS Payment Task Force has been examining ways to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, more accessible, transparent and secure. The declaration also noted work on interoperable payment and messaging channels. The approach could prove more achievable than creating a single BRICS currency. Greater use of national currencies and better-connected payment systems could reduce transaction costs and provide members with alternatives for cross-border trade. BRICS members carry common concerns into G20 BRICS priorities are also likely to overlap with discussions at the G20, particularly on trade, global governance and the concerns of developing economies. Six of the 11 BRICS members are individual G20 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Indonesia. This gives the bloc significant representation in the wider global economic forum. The weaponisation of trade, ongoing wars, supply-chain disruptions and greater representation for the Global South in institutions such as the United Nations, UN Security Council and World Trade Organization are likely to remain key issues. As China begins its BRICS presidency, Beijing will therefore face the challenge of converting the grouping’s growing economic and political weight into coordinated action. The New Delhi Summit has already identified several practical areas, including local-currency trade, cross-border payments, supply-chain resilience and maritime security. The expectation set by Modi is clear: BRICS must now move from commitments to “concrete results”.

As China takes over the BRICS chairship, the grouping faces the challenge of turning its growing economic weight into practical cooperation on conflicts, supply chains, maritime security and cross-border payments while expanding the use of local currencies.

China takes BRICS chair: Wars, trade disruptions and local-currency trade in focus

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday (Sep 13) called for a stronger role for the Global South in shaping international rules at the 10th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. Addressing Session II of the high-stakes summit, Xi said international law must apply equally to all countries and rejected the idea that powerful nations can dictate global affairs. He also unveiled five initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation within the grouping. Next year, China will hold the BRICS presidency.<h2>‘Might makes right does not hold’</h2>“A world without rules is like a crossroads without traffic lights, where chaos and disorder are all but guaranteed,” Xi said, according to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry. “Fairness and justice are a universal aspiration, and international rules must be written by all countries.”“The logic of ‘might makes right’ does not hold and should have been discarded long ago,” Xi added, urging Global South countries to jointly defend sovereign equality, noninterference and the peaceful settlement of disputes.His remarks came against the backdrop of the New Delhi Declaration, in which BRICS expressed concern over global polarisation, distrust and ongoing conflicts.The grouping voiced “deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia” and called for “maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.”Earlier on Saturday (Sep 12), Xi expressed concerns over the war in the Middle East, saying that the conflict does not serve the interests of the world.“As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added.<h2>Xi’s five initiatives</h2>Open-source and inclusive AI: China proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, with cooperation on large language models, specialised seminars and training courses to create an open AI ecosystem.Trade and investment facilitation: Beijing proposed a BRICS special economic zone partnership, including an intelligent portal for coordinating policies. China will also host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year.Digital industry cooperation: Xi proposed a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside digital skills training, technological exchanges and industrial alignment to support the digital economy.Intelligent manufacturing cooperation: China offered to assist BRICS countries in developing smart factories and standards while promoting the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing.Science and technology talent development: Beijing proposed a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint training and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will also launch a youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Xi Jinping attended Session II of the 18th BRICS Summit and delivered an important statement. President Xi proposed five initiatives for deepening BRICS cooperation: 1️⃣ The open source and inclusive AI initiative. China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI… <a href="https://t.co/vkrgElHs7m">pic.twitter.com/vkrgElHs7m</a>&mdash; Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) <a href="https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/2099058641869398498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>BRICS pushes diplomacy</h2>The BRICS declaration called for dialogue and diplomacy in West Asia, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.The bloc also reaffirmed support for a just and lasting Israeli-Palestinian settlement, called for an end to economic measures against Cuba and condemned conflicts in Sudan and Syria.&nbsp;

Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit called for a stronger Global South role in global affairs, rejected ‘might makes right’ and unveiled five initiatives spanning AI, trade, digital economy and technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday (Sep 13) called for a stronger role for the Global South in shaping international rules at the 10th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss several global issues and development. Addressing Session II of the high-stakes summit, Xi said international law must apply equally to all countries and rejected the idea that powerful nations can dictate global affairs. He also unveiled five initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation within the grouping. Next year, China will hold the BRICS presidency. ‘Might makes right does not hold’ “A world without rules is like a crossroads without traffic lights, where chaos and disorder are all but guaranteed,” Xi said, according to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry. “Fairness and justice are a universal aspiration, and international rules must be written by all countries.” “The logic of ‘might makes right’ does not hold and should have been discarded long ago,” Xi added, urging Global South countries to jointly defend sovereign equality, noninterference and the peaceful settlement of disputes. His remarks came against the backdrop of the New Delhi Declaration, in which BRICS expressed concern over global polarisation, distrust and ongoing conflicts. The grouping voiced “deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia” and called for “maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.” Earlier on Saturday (Sep 12), Xi expressed concerns over the war in the Middle East, saying that the conflict does not serve the interests of the world. “As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region,” Xi was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. It “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, he added. Xi’s five initiatives Open-source and inclusive AI: China proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, with cooperation on large language models, specialised seminars and training courses to create an open AI ecosystem. Trade and investment facilitation: Beijing proposed a BRICS special economic zone partnership, including an intelligent portal for coordinating policies. China will also host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year. Digital industry cooperation: Xi proposed a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside digital skills training, technological exchanges and industrial alignment to support the digital economy. Intelligent manufacturing cooperation: China offered to assist BRICS countries in developing smart factories and standards while promoting the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing. Science and technology talent development: Beijing proposed a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for joint training and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will also launch a youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.

Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit called for a stronger Global South role in global affairs, rejected ‘might makes right’ and unveiled five initiatives spanning AI, trade, digital economy and technology.

‘Might makes right does not hold’: China’s Xi challenges global power politics with 5 BRICS initiatives

OpenAI will not pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman announced, pointing to growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence safety and alignment as the primary reason to delay the company's stock market debut.Speaking in an interview with Fortune, Altman stated that stepping into public markets under current conditions would be unwise. "I actually think that, given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public, and we don't feel pressure on that," Altman said. When asked directly if a 2026 listing was off the table, Altman confirmed, "I would say not 2026. Yeah, we got a lot of stuff to do, like meeting this moment of what is going to be required for safety and alignment".&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-assisted-documentary-be-brave-premieres-in-venice-1789114821716/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-assisted-documentary-be-brave-premieres-in-venice-1789114821716/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The decision marks a major shift for one of Silicon Valley's most anticipated corporate listings. Although OpenAI confidentially filed a prospectus with the US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year to preserve flexibility, executive messaging has pushed prospective timelines back to at least 2027. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar previously noted to staff that the firm holds significant liquidity following a massive $122 billion funding round, relieving immediate capital pressures to go public.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/artificial-trailer-out-andrew-garfield-plays-sam-altman-in-luca-guadagnino-s-ai-drama-watch-1788938626024">Artificial trailer out: Andrew Garfield plays Sam Altman in Luca Guadagnino’s AI drama | Watch</a>&nbsp;Altman’s comments come amid heightened debate across the tech industry regarding the rapid capabilities and risks of frontier AI models. The announcement followed public statements from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who urged major AI developers to voluntarily slow down the pace of model development to prevent systemic risks, including autonomous agent misuse and loss of control. Altman publicly supported Amodei’s stance, confirming on social media platform X that pacing capability advances and instituting independent safety evaluations have been key topics inside OpenAI.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/openai-says-10-000-ai-agents-sent-2-7-million-messages-and-generated-130-billion-tokens-to-solve-one-of-maths-biggest-unsolved-problems-in-88-hours-1788941316171">OpenAI says 10,000 AI agents sent 2.7 million messages and generated 130 billion tokens to solve one of maths’ biggest unsolved problems in 88 hours</a>&nbsp;Recent incidents involving autonomous AI agents breaching security boundaries during testing environments have accelerated calls from researchers and lawmakers for stricter industry oversight. Prominent AI researchers have increasingly warned that rapid commercial competition could outpace researchers' ability to understand and align frontier models.&nbsp;Altman emphasised that operating as a private entity grants OpenAI greater agility to address structural risks alongside governments and third-party validators before taking on public market scrutiny. By putting safety ahead of immediate listing plans, OpenAI signals a broader industry attempt to balance commercial incentives with safety guarantees.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ruled out a public debut in 2026, stating that an IPO would be "ill-advised" while the industry addresses critical AI safety and alignment challenges.

OpenAI will not pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman announced, pointing to growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence safety and alignment as the primary reason to delay the company's stock market debut. Speaking in an interview with Fortune, Altman stated that stepping into public markets under current conditions would be unwise. "I actually think that, given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public, and we don't feel pressure on that," Altman said. When asked directly if a 2026 listing was off the table, Altman confirmed, "I would say not 2026. Yeah, we got a lot of stuff to do, like meeting this moment of what is going to be required for safety and alignment". https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-assisted-documentary-be-brave-premieres-in-venice-1789114821716/embed The decision marks a major shift for one of Silicon Valley's most anticipated corporate listings. Although OpenAI confidentially filed a prospectus with the US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year to preserve flexibility, executive messaging has pushed prospective timelines back to at least 2027. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar previously noted to staff that the firm holds significant liquidity following a massive $122 billion funding round, relieving immediate capital pressures to go public. Also read: Artificial trailer out: Andrew Garfield plays Sam Altman in Luca Guadagnino’s AI drama | Watch Altman’s comments come amid heightened debate across the tech industry regarding the rapid capabilities and risks of frontier AI models. The announcement followed public statements from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who urged major AI developers to voluntarily slow down the pace of model development to prevent systemic risks, including autonomous agent misuse and loss of control. Altman publicly supported Amodei’s stance, confirming on social media platform X that pacing capability advances and instituting independent safety evaluations have been key topics inside OpenAI. Also read: OpenAI says 10,000 AI agents sent 2.7 million messages and generated 130 billion tokens to solve one of maths’ biggest unsolved problems in 88 hours Recent incidents involving autonomous AI agents breaching security boundaries during testing environments have accelerated calls from researchers and lawmakers for stricter industry oversight. Prominent AI researchers have increasingly warned that rapid commercial competition could outpace researchers' ability to understand and align frontier models. Altman emphasised that operating as a private entity grants OpenAI greater agility to address structural risks alongside governments and third-party validators before taking on public market scrutiny. By putting safety ahead of immediate listing plans, OpenAI signals a broader industry attempt to balance commercial incentives with safety guarantees.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ruled out a public debut in 2026, stating that an IPO would be "ill-advised" while the industry addresses critical AI safety and alignment challenges.

OpenAI delays IPO to 2027 as Sam Altman cites escalating artificial intelligence risks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Sept 13) said the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit will provide a clear direction to the grouping’s shared vision and future cooperation. He also said the discussions held over the two-day summit had strengthened the belief that BRICS has emerged as an “ecosystem of solutions”.&nbsp;In his concluding remarks at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Modi said member countries must now convert the outcomes of the summit into time-bound actions that can create a tangible impact on the ground.&nbsp;“Our discussions over the past two days have further strengthened our conviction that BRICS is not merely a grouping of nations, but an ecosystem of solutions. We hope that the New Delhi Declaration adopted at this summit will provide a clear direction for our shared vision and future cooperation,” Modi said.&nbsp;He stressed that the framework agreed upon by the member countries should move beyond documentation and commitments to deliver results in real life.&nbsp;“We must translate all outcomes into time-bound actions that deliver last-mile impact. We will work together to ensure that our framework moves beyond mere documentation and creates a tangible impact in real life,” he added.&nbsp;Modi also thanked the participating leaders for their active involvement and contributions to the summit. He said their ideas and suggestions had added both breadth and depth to cooperation and described their participation as a reflection of the growing relevance, openness and inclusiveness of BRICS.<h3>BRICS chairship moves to China</h3>As India concluded its BRICS chairship, Modi extended his best wishes to China, which will host the grouping’s next summit in 2027. He said BRICS is entering its third decade at a time when the world expects the grouping to deliver concrete outcomes rather than only ideas and commitments.&nbsp;“BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” Modi said.&nbsp;The Prime Minister also commended the leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success and wished them a safe journey.&nbsp;“I extend my best wishes once again to China as the next host of BRICS. I especially commend all of you and your teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success. I wish you all a pleasant and safe journey,” he said.<h3>Modi flags technology and critical minerals</h3>BRICS leaders also held a session on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”.&nbsp;Speaking at the session, Modi said the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals could hinder the shared progress of BRICS countries. He stressed the need for an inclusive approach to technology adoption.&nbsp;He also highlighted the BRICS Logistic Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, saying it would help make supply chains more reliable and resilient. Under the innovation agenda, the BRICS Incubator Network will connect startups and incubators across member countries.&nbsp;India has also proposed the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to support innovative and scalable solutions. Modi said the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture would create new opportunities for farmers by bringing artificial intelligence, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure closer to their practical needs.

PM Modi said the New Delhi Declaration will guide BRICS’ future cooperation and called for its outcomes to be converted into time-bound action as China takes over the grouping’s chairship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Sept 13) said the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit will provide a clear direction to the grouping’s shared vision and future cooperation. He also said the discussions held over the two-day summit had strengthened the belief that BRICS has emerged as an “ecosystem of solutions”. In his concluding remarks at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Modi said member countries must now convert the outcomes of the summit into time-bound actions that can create a tangible impact on the ground. “Our discussions over the past two days have further strengthened our conviction that BRICS is not merely a grouping of nations, but an ecosystem of solutions. We hope that the New Delhi Declaration adopted at this summit will provide a clear direction for our shared vision and future cooperation,” Modi said. He stressed that the framework agreed upon by the member countries should move beyond documentation and commitments to deliver results in real life. “We must translate all outcomes into time-bound actions that deliver last-mile impact. We will work together to ensure that our framework moves beyond mere documentation and creates a tangible impact in real life,” he added. Modi also thanked the participating leaders for their active involvement and contributions to the summit. He said their ideas and suggestions had added both breadth and depth to cooperation and described their participation as a reflection of the growing relevance, openness and inclusiveness of BRICS. BRICS chairship moves to China As India concluded its BRICS chairship, Modi extended his best wishes to China, which will host the grouping’s next summit in 2027. He said BRICS is entering its third decade at a time when the world expects the grouping to deliver concrete outcomes rather than only ideas and commitments. “BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will certainly live up to these expectations,” Modi said. The Prime Minister also commended the leaders and their teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success and wished them a safe journey. “I extend my best wishes once again to China as the next host of BRICS. I especially commend all of you and your teams for making the New Delhi Summit a success. I wish you all a pleasant and safe journey,” he said. Modi flags technology and critical minerals BRICS leaders also held a session on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”. Speaking at the session, Modi said the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals could hinder the shared progress of BRICS countries. He stressed the need for an inclusive approach to technology adoption. He also highlighted the BRICS Logistic Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, saying it would help make supply chains more reliable and resilient. Under the innovation agenda, the BRICS Incubator Network will connect startups and incubators across member countries. India has also proposed the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund to support innovative and scalable solutions. Modi said the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture would create new opportunities for farmers by bringing artificial intelligence, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure closer to their practical needs.

PM Modi said the New Delhi Declaration will guide BRICS’ future cooperation and called for its outcomes to be converted into time-bound action as China takes over the grouping’s chairship.

PM Modi calls for time-bound action on New Delhi Declaration, extends best wishes to China for BRICS chairship

As the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi under India’s chairship concludes on Sunday (September 13), its greatest success would be the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. The detailed 45-page, 140-point document demonstrated that the expanded 11-member grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia can still forge consensus despite their individual differences.<h2>Consensus language on West Asia conflict</h2>Consensus demanded intensive late-night negotiations lasting until 4 am. But consensus was achieved. What was thought to be insurmountable was achieved. Iran and the UAE had to be on board with the language on the West Asia conflict. In the backdrop was the failure to produce a joint statement on the same issue during the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting earlier in the year. As chair, India facilitated the carefully worded compromise. That included expressing serious concern over escalation, deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. In what looked like a counterpoint to the US expression ‘maximum pressure’, the Delhi Declaration called for “maximum restraint.” It sought the protection of civilians, respect for sovereignty and a return to dialogue. There was no blame game. And the declaration was passed with no objections, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-2026-pm-modi-praises-india-s-chairmanship-sends-critical-minerals-and-supply-chain-message-on-day-2-china-xi-jinping-present-1789277773320">BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' and 'supply chain' message on Day 2 in front of China's Xi</a><h2>No ambiguity on terrorism: Pahalgam attack condemned</h2>A sensitive topic for India, on which it did not always get the backing of China, terrorism was a closely-watched issue. The wording was important. The declaration explicitly condemned, in the strongest terms, the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 people dead.It used zero-tolerance language on terrorism in all forms, cross-border movement of terrorists, financing and safe havens, and, most importantly, the ‘rejection of double standards’. Clearly, China concurred with the inclusion of such language.<h2>Support for India’s UNSC aspirations</h2>Mentioned among calls for comprehensive UN reform, including reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, effective and reflective of developing countries and the Global South, was support for India’s aspirations.China and Russia, the two permanent members of the UN Security Council from BRICS, reiterated their support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN, including at the UNSC.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-a-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283129951/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-a-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283129951/embed</a><h2>Push against the West from tariffs to climate, but in subtle language</h2>It was not lost on anyone which countries the BRICS declaration was referring to when it pushed back against certain trade and climate measures. Trump tariffs and energy trade curbs have, in the past couple of years, affected several BRICS nations, particularly China, India, Russia and Brazil.The summit took a clear stance against unilateral tariffs and trade restrictions. This, as well as climate change measures such as the EU-led carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), were described as potentially unilateral, punitive, discriminatory or protectionist and inconsistent with international law.The declaration called unilateral coercive measures and sanctions contrary to international law.It called for a better position for the Global South in key financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund &nbsp;and World Bank, as well as greater representation in global trade institutions such as the World Trade Organization.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brics-at-20-the-rule-takers-want-to-become-rule-shapers-1789237550996">BRICS at 20: The rule-takers want to become rule-shapers</a><h2>United on economic and financial cooperation</h2>The declaration made it clear that the BRICS Payment Task Force is going to continue working towards efficient, fast and low-cost cross-border payments among member countries. Without mentioning dedollarisation or a BRICS currency, it advocated local-currency trade settlements and investments.There was also the establishment of the BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development, a proposed BRICS repository for digital public infrastructure with pilot projects, and a BRICS-New Development Bank Knowledge Portal.<h2>The China-India optics that went well</h2>The China-India dynamic was being keenly watched, given that President Xi Jinping was visiting the nation after a long gap. The group gave its support to China’s 2027 chairship.&nbsp;The group achieved consensus on a wide range of issues, including global governance, multilateralism, multipolarity, sustainable growth and people-to-people ties.The spirit was one of mutual respect. The prior deadlocks were resolved.&nbsp;BRICS Summit Declartion might be largely declaratory and initiative-based. But it is far better than the paralysis seen in several other regional and multilateral organisations.The Declaration was adopted on the first day of the summit itself. But its outcomes remain subject to subsequent implementation. That can happen only when the grouping remains consensus- and respect-based.

The New Delhi Declaration was marked a BRICS consensus on a range of issues, from West Asia, terrorism, India’s UNSC aspirations, trade restrictions, and Global South representation in global organisations. 


As the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi under India’s chairship concludes on Sunday (September 13), its greatest success would be the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. The detailed 45-page, 140-point document demonstrated that the expanded 11-member grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia can still forge consensus despite their individual differences. Consensus language on West Asia conflict Consensus demanded intensive late-night negotiations lasting until 4 am. But consensus was achieved. What was thought to be insurmountable was achieved. Iran and the UAE had to be on board with the language on the West Asia conflict. In the backdrop was the failure to produce a joint statement on the same issue during the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting earlier in the year. As chair, India facilitated the carefully worded compromise. That included expressing serious concern over escalation, deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. In what looked like a counterpoint to the US expression ‘maximum pressure’, the Delhi Declaration called for “maximum restraint.” It sought the protection of civilians, respect for sovereignty and a return to dialogue. There was no blame game. And the declaration was passed with no objections, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also read: BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' and 'supply chain' message on Day 2 in front of China's Xi No ambiguity on terrorism: Pahalgam attack condemned A sensitive topic for India, on which it did not always get the backing of China, terrorism was a closely-watched issue. The wording was important. The declaration explicitly condemned, in the strongest terms, the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 people dead. It used zero-tolerance language on terrorism in all forms, cross-border movement of terrorists, financing and safe havens, and, most importantly, the ‘rejection of double standards’. Clearly, China concurred with the inclusion of such language. Support for India’s UNSC aspirations Mentioned among calls for comprehensive UN reform, including reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, effective and reflective of developing countries and the Global South, was support for India’s aspirations. China and Russia, the two permanent members of the UN Security Council from BRICS, reiterated their support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN, including at the UNSC. https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-adopted-with-full-consensus-a-diplomatic-win-for-india-1789283129951/embed Push against the West from tariffs to climate, but in subtle language It was not lost on anyone which countries the BRICS declaration was referring to when it pushed back against certain trade and climate measures. Trump tariffs and energy trade curbs have, in the past couple of years, affected several BRICS nations, particularly China, India, Russia and Brazil. The summit took a clear stance against unilateral tariffs and trade restrictions. This, as well as climate change measures such as the EU-led carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), were described as potentially unilateral, punitive, discriminatory or protectionist and inconsistent with international law. The declaration called unilateral coercive measures and sanctions contrary to international law. It called for a better position for the Global South in key financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, as well as greater representation in global trade institutions such as the World Trade Organization. Also read: BRICS at 20: The rule-takers want to become rule-shapers United on economic and financial cooperation The declaration made it clear that the BRICS Payment Task Force is going to continue working towards efficient, fast and low-cost cross-border payments among member countries. Without mentioning dedollarisation or a BRICS currency, it advocated local-currency trade settlements and investments. There was also the establishment of the BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development, a proposed BRICS repository for digital public infrastructure with pilot projects, and a BRICS-New Development Bank Knowledge Portal. The China-India optics that went well The China-India dynamic was being keenly watched, given that President Xi Jinping was visiting the nation after a long gap. The group gave its support to China’s 2027 chairship. The group achieved consensus on a wide range of issues, including global governance, multilateralism, multipolarity, sustainable growth and people-to-people ties. The spirit was one of mutual respect. The prior deadlocks were resolved. BRICS Summit Declartion might be largely declaratory and initiative-based. But it is far better than the paralysis seen in several other regional and multilateral organisations. The Declaration was adopted on the first day of the summit itself. But its outcomes remain subject to subsequent implementation. That can happen only when the grouping remains consensus- and respect-based.

The New Delhi Declaration marked a BRICS consensus on a range of issues, from West Asia, terrorism, India’s UNSC aspirations, trade restrictions, and Global South representation in global organisations.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Did BRICS Summit 2026 prove that an 11-member bloc with India and China in it can still agree on key issues?

United States President Donald Trump said he expects to be called by UK and Argentina to settle the row between the two countries over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Dublin, Trump said &nbsp;if there was an invasion similar to the one in 1982 UK would not “be willing to travel that far” as it would take them “weeks by boat” to get there.&nbsp;“You know, I don’t know if they’re going to be willing to travel that far. That is very far away. You’re talking about weeks by boat. I don’t know," said Trump.&nbsp;Hen then added , “I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I’ll probably be able to settle it out."&nbsp;“But right now, you have two countries that are not happy concerning the Falklands," he added.The comments by Trump comes a few days after he said that he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, in retaliation to UK’s stance on the Iran war.&nbsp;<h2>What is the Falkland Islands issue?</h2>&nbsp;The Falkland Islands that is a territorial sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina are a group of islands in the South Atlantic, about 500–600 km from Argentina. Argentinians call the Island Las Malvinas.&nbsp;Claiming sovereignty over the Islands, Argentina argues that when Falkland Islands became independent from Spain in 1816, it inherited Spain's territorial claims, and that Britain in 1833 took control of the islands illegally.&nbsp;While the British say the islands have been administered by them since 1833 and that the people of the Falkland islands &nbsp;overwhelmingly want to remain British. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% voted to remain a UK Overseas Territory.&nbsp;The UN recognises that there is a dispute between Argentina and the UK and has repeatedly urged leaders of both the governments to resolve the issue amicably and peacefully.&nbsp;The economic angle of oil and gas exploration around the islands has further increased tensions, with Argentina objecting to companies operating there.&nbsp;

Claiming sovereignty over the Islands, Argentina argues that when Falkland Islands became independent from Spain in 1816, it inherited Spain's territorial claims.

United States President Donald Trump said he expects to be called by UK and Argentina to settle the row between the two countries over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Dublin, Trump said if there was an invasion similar to the one in 1982 UK would not “be willing to travel that far” as it would take them “weeks by boat” to get there. “You know, I don’t know if they’re going to be willing to travel that far. That is very far away. You’re talking about weeks by boat. I don’t know," said Trump. Hen then added , “I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I’ll probably be able to settle it out." “But right now, you have two countries that are not happy concerning the Falklands," he added. The comments by Trump comes a few days after he said that he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, in retaliation to UK’s stance on the Iran war. What is the Falkland Islands issue? The Falkland Islands that is a territorial sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina are a group of islands in the South Atlantic, about 500–600 km from Argentina. Argentinians call the Island Las Malvinas. Claiming sovereignty over the Islands, Argentina argues that when Falkland Islands became independent from Spain in 1816, it inherited Spain's territorial claims, and that Britain in 1833 took control of the islands illegally. While the British say the islands have been administered by them since 1833 and that the people of the Falkland islands overwhelmingly want to remain British. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% voted to remain a UK Overseas Territory. The UN recognises that there is a dispute between Argentina and the UK and has repeatedly urged leaders of both the governments to resolve the issue amicably and peacefully. The economic angle of oil and gas exploration around the islands has further increased tensions, with Argentina objecting to companies operating there.

Claiming sovereignty over the Islands, Argentina argues that when Falkland Islands became independent from Spain in 1816, it inherited Spain's territorial claims.

What is the Falkland Islands row between UK, Argentina that Trump says he can resolve?

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Sep 13) said that he would “love” to see a united Ireland, predicting that reunification would happen eventually. He said that such a thing would be a “fantastic thing” during his visit to Dublin. "Well, I don’t want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I’d love to see it unified,” Trump told reporters, while sitting next to Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheal Martin. “It’s going to happen eventually … I think it would be a fantastic thing,” he said. “Now the UK will have something to say about it … but I think it would be a great thing,” he added. His remarks came as Dublin witnessed anti-war and anti-Trump protests. An seemingly embarrassed Martin declined to respond to reporters’ questions to comment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/trump-visits-tournament-at-his-golf-course-in-ireland-during-weekend-visit-1789275925947">Trump visits tournament at his golf course in Ireland during weekend visit</a><h2>How UK reacted?</h2>British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's office said that the position on ​Irish unification remains unchanged. Responding to ​questions from lawmakers in parliament ​on Wednesday about a possible border poll in Northern Ireland, Burnham ​said: "I am not aware ​that there is majority public support for ‌another ⁠referendum, and until that changes, there will not be one."<h2>What has been US stance on the matter?</h2>The United States has traditionally maintained a stance of strict neutrality on Irish unification. In fact, it helped broker the 1998 Good Friday Agreement under the Clinton administration. For decades, Washington avoided taking sides, stating that any decision regarding the border must be left entirely to the democratic consent of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Rather than treating the issue as a sensitive internal UK-Irish matter, Trump described the potential unification as a positive "merger" and suggested that Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin was "the right man... to get it moving." The sudden shift in tone has sparked a diplomatic row&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/trump-promises-5-000-trump-dividend-check-to-every-american-if-gop-wins-midterms-1789013111110">Trump promises $5,000 ‘Trump dividend’ check to every American if GOP wins midterms</a><h2>What is Irish reunification?</h2>Irish unification is the proposal that the island of Ireland should become a single, sovereign independent state, ending the partition that separates the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland was partitioned in May 1921. The Republic of Ireland governs the majority of the island, while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom. A 1998 Good Friday Agreement forms the base of the reunification debate. It ended three decades of sectarian violence known as the Troubles. According to it, a border poll or referendum can be called if it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would vote for Irish unification. The UK government maintains that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom as long as a majority of its people want it to. &nbsp;Proponents highlight economic ties and healthcare coordination. Opponents point to unionist identity, distinct ties to Britain, and high economic costs.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump backed Irish unification during his Dublin visit, calling a united Ireland “fantastic” and saying it would eventually happen. His remarks challenge Washington’s traditional neutrality and come as the UK says there is no basis for a Northern Ireland border poll now.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Sep 13) said that he would “love” to see a united Ireland, predicting that reunification would happen eventually. He said that such a thing would be a “fantastic thing” during his visit to Dublin. "Well, I don’t want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I’d love to see it unified,” Trump told reporters, while sitting next to Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheal Martin. “It’s going to happen eventually … I think it would be a fantastic thing,” he said. “Now the UK will have something to say about it … but I think it would be a great thing,” he added. His remarks came as Dublin witnessed anti-war and anti-Trump protests. An seemingly embarrassed Martin declined to respond to reporters’ questions to comment. Also Read: Trump visits tournament at his golf course in Ireland during weekend visit How UK reacted? British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's office said that the position on Irish unification remains unchanged. Responding to questions from lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday about a possible border poll in Northern Ireland, Burnham said: "I am not aware that there is majority public support for ‌another ⁠referendum, and until that changes, there will not be one." What has been US stance on the matter? The United States has traditionally maintained a stance of strict neutrality on Irish unification. In fact, it helped broker the 1998 Good Friday Agreement under the Clinton administration. For decades, Washington avoided taking sides, stating that any decision regarding the border must be left entirely to the democratic consent of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Rather than treating the issue as a sensitive internal UK-Irish matter, Trump described the potential unification as a positive "merger" and suggested that Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin was "the right man... to get it moving." The sudden shift in tone has sparked a diplomatic row Also Read: Trump promises $5,000 ‘Trump dividend’ check to every American if GOP wins midterms What is Irish reunification? Irish unification is the proposal that the island of Ireland should become a single, sovereign independent state, ending the partition that separates the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland was partitioned in May 1921. The Republic of Ireland governs the majority of the island, while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom. A 1998 Good Friday Agreement forms the base of the reunification debate. It ended three decades of sectarian violence known as the Troubles. According to it, a border poll or referendum can be called if it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would vote for Irish unification. The UK government maintains that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom as long as a majority of its people want it to. Proponents highlight economic ties and healthcare coordination. Opponents point to unionist identity, distinct ties to Britain, and high economic costs.

US President Donald Trump backed Irish unification during his Dublin visit, calling a united Ireland “fantastic” and saying it would eventually happen. His remarks challenge Washington’s traditional neutrality and come as the UK says there is no basis for a Northern Ireland border poll now.

Trump says unified Ireland would be 'fantastic', UK reacts: What is Irish reunification?

At least one person died and 30 are missing after a ferry carrying 40 passengers and crew sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the South Pacific nation's government confirmed on Sunday (September 13). The vessel, identified as MV Matui, had left on Friday from the island of Santo to Ambae Island in very rough seas; however, the ship did not arrive. Following the incident, Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office confirmed on Sunday the recovery of one dead body, while 15 of those onboard have been "accounted for alive". The incident came to light when a diver working at a hotel on Santo alerted officials after he saw a man floating in a life vest on Saturday. The Hotel owner, Ashley Beveridge, stated that he figured out his employee was carrying a survivor from the missing boat. Officials received an alert of the incident after someone in the restaurant alerted them. "He looked like he had been in the bathtub for 25 hours; he was wrinkled up and white. He was cold," Beveridge said in a telephone interview.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/war-is-making-russia-stronger-how-ukraine-is-shaping-moscow-s-next-generation-of-weapons-1789282688075">War is making Russia stronger? How Ukraine is shaping Moscow’s next generation of weapons</a><h3>Survivor confirmed sinking of vessel</h3>The survivor, Jeffson, confirmed that the boat sank on Friday morning. "There was no rescue started until this guy got washed up on our beach -- lucky he got washed up in an inhabited area," Beveridge added. "He had gone all day and all night in the water." "At the last count it is 18 recovered, and there are two or three dead so far," Beveridge said on Sunday. After authorities were informed, Cargo ship owners, including a local politician, a local doctor with a plane and a private medical assistance vessel started a search on Saturday afternoon. According to local media, survivors are being transported to a hospital on Santo Island. Napat's office assumed control of the maritime search operation on Sunday afternoon, following the prime minister's earlier frustration at being unable to get through to senior officials. In a statement issued Sunday, Napat's office said more than 30 people are still unaccounted for at sea, on top of one confirmed death and 15 survivors located alive. "Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones. Search and rescue operations are continuing," the statement read. Authorities have opened an investigation into possible negligence. The statement noted that the loss appears to have resulted from strong winds and disregarded marine warnings, and potentially from negligence such as the vessel being overloaded.

After the incident, Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office confirmed on Sunday the recovery of one dead body, while 15 of those onboard have been "accounted for alive".

At least one person died and 30 are missing after a ferry carrying 40 passengers and crew sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the South Pacific nation's government confirmed on Sunday (September 13). The vessel, identified as MV Matui, had left on Friday from the island of Santo to Ambae Island in very rough seas; however, the ship did not arrive. Following the incident, Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office confirmed on Sunday the recovery of one dead body, while 15 of those onboard have been "accounted for alive". The incident came to light when a diver working at a hotel on Santo alerted officials after he saw a man floating in a life vest on Saturday. The Hotel owner, Ashley Beveridge, stated that he figured out his employee was carrying a survivor from the missing boat. Officials received an alert of the incident after someone in the restaurant alerted them. "He looked like he had been in the bathtub for 25 hours; he was wrinkled up and white. He was cold," Beveridge said in a telephone interview. Also read: War is making Russia stronger? How Ukraine is shaping Moscow’s next generation of weapons Survivor confirmed sinking of vessel The survivor, Jeffson, confirmed that the boat sank on Friday morning. "There was no rescue started until this guy got washed up on our beach -- lucky he got washed up in an inhabited area," Beveridge added. "He had gone all day and all night in the water." "At the last count it is 18 recovered, and there are two or three dead so far," Beveridge said on Sunday. After authorities were informed, Cargo ship owners, including a local politician, a local doctor with a plane and a private medical assistance vessel started a search on Saturday afternoon. According to local media, survivors are being transported to a hospital on Santo Island. Napat's office assumed control of the maritime search operation on Sunday afternoon, following the prime minister's earlier frustration at being unable to get through to senior officials. In a statement issued Sunday, Napat's office said more than 30 people are still unaccounted for at sea, on top of one confirmed death and 15 survivors located alive. "Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones. Search and rescue operations are continuing," the statement read. Authorities have opened an investigation into possible negligence. The statement noted that the loss appears to have resulted from strong winds and disregarded marine warnings, and potentially from negligence such as the vessel being overloaded.

After the incident, Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office confirmed on Sunday the recovery of one dead body, while 15 of those onboard have been "accounted for alive".

One dead, 30 missing after ferry carrying 40 passengers and crew sinks near Vanuatu

Chinese President Xi Jingping, who is on a visit to India for the BRICS Summit skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gala dinner after attending the summit and holding bilateral talks. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, was also absent as he left for home after attending the summit.&nbsp;According to PTI, Xi was absent from Bharat Mandapam, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders were to attend the dinner hosted by PM Modi. The reason for Xi's absence was not known but a source told the news agency that the Chinese President had gone back to his hotel to take rest.&nbsp;Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Notably, this is President Xi's first trip to India in seven years.&nbsp;His last trip to India was in October 2019, when he attended the informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;<h2>What was the bilateral talks about</h2>&nbsp;During the bilateral talks both the leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.&nbsp;They also underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries.&nbsp;Xi called for a “win-win” approach focused on development, urging both sides to expand cooperation in areas including people-to-people exchanges and direct flights. He also called for the two countries to address economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner.&nbsp;On the border issue, Xi said China and India should maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier while handling differences through “mutual respect and understanding”.&nbsp;

Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. 

Chinese President Xi Jingping, who is on a visit to India for the BRICS Summit skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gala dinner after attending the summit and holding bilateral talks. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, was also absent as he left for home after attending the summit. According to PTI, Xi was absent from Bharat Mandapam, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Brics leaders were to attend the dinner hosted by PM Modi. The reason for Xi's absence was not known but a source told the news agency that the Chinese President had gone back to his hotel to take rest. Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Notably, this is President Xi's first trip to India in seven years. His last trip to India was in October 2019, when he attended the informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. What was the bilateral talks about During the bilateral talks both the leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. They also underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries. Xi called for a “win-win” approach focused on development, urging both sides to expand cooperation in areas including people-to-people exchanges and direct flights. He also called for the two countries to address economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner. On the border issue, Xi said China and India should maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier while handling differences through “mutual respect and understanding”.

Xi had arrived in Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attended the BRICS Summit. After his arrival he held bilateral meeting with PM Modi.&nbsp;

Why Xi skipped PM Modi's gala dinner hosted for BRICS leaders

When it comes to climate change, the BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration reads less like a communique and more like a negotiating position for the Global South. The bloc representing 40 percent of global GDP, 26 percent of global trade and nearly half the world's population made a clear push that can be described simply as: We want to not just follow the rules on climate change, we want to write them too. Coming as it did after the devastating Nepal floods, climate change was not an incidental aspect of the BRICS Declaration. It was woven throughout seperate sections of the 45-page document.<h2>The most pertinent features of BRICS Declaration on climate change:</h2><ul><li>Climate finance is part of the growth and development agenda</li><li>Debt is identified as a barrier to climate investment.&nbsp;</li><li>Climate adaptation appears directly in discussions involving central banks and finance ministries</li><li>BRICS seeks more financing options for developing economies, with a clear demand on developed countries when it comes to adoption.</li><li>Trade policy is explicitly linked to the countries’ capacity to adapt. This is reflected in the challenge to carbon border measures.&nbsp;</li><li>Opposition to protectionism is linked with support for multilateral trade rules even as BRICS vows to continue cooperation on trade and carbon markets&nbsp;</li><li>There are boundaries between climate and security, with concern expressed about attempts to link security with the climate-change agenda.</li></ul>"For a grouping as diverse and geopolitically complex as BRICS, achieving consensus on a forward-looking climate framework is no small feat," says Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-stitches-climate-into-its-trade-and-growth-agenda-experts-say-1789231897615">BRICS stitches climate into its trade and growth agenda, experts say</a><h2>The pushback on ‘carbon borders’: The most significant point?</h2>The BRICS joint declaration's opposition to the so-called ‘carbon border adjustment mechanisms’ (CBAMs) pushed by European Union has perhaps the sharpest language on climate change issues. And that, was a work in progress. At the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Delhi, the bloc had already described CBAM as punitive, discriminatory and protectionist . Now it is etched in the leaders' text, which called CBAM “unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist,” that undermined developing countries' efforts to address climate impacts and build adaptive capacity.&nbsp;The message to Brussels: Climate ambition and tariff policy can't travel in the same bus.Elsewhere, the declaration demanded to restore a functioning WTO dispute-settlement system. It also warned that tariffs pursued under environmental objectives disrupt supply chains and widen economic disparities.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-built-350-meetings-worth-of-climate-cooperation-this-year-almost-none-of-it-comes-with-money-1789145877091">BRICS built 350 meetings' worth of climate cooperation this year, almost none of it comes with money</a><h2>Net Zero goes missing from the text</h2>Rathin Roy, Distinguished Professor at the Kautilya School of Public Policy, points to a conspicuous absence of what he calls “that favourite Euro-American phrase — Net Zero.”"For the BRICS, Net Zero is an outcome of a profoundly unsustainable development system."The keyword here is differentiated responsibilities and national circumstances. Fossil fuels will remain in the energy mix of emerging and developing economies, while renewables, hydrogen and nuclear energy will sit alongside.Developing economies will scale up clean energy on timelines set by their own development needs, not by deadlines written elsewhere.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed</a><h2>After Nepal flood tragedy, resilience is not just a buzzword&nbsp;</h2>BRICS Summit was taking place just two weeks after the glacier-triggered floods in Nepal killed nearly 1,400 people, and the declaration pushed adaptation, climate finance and disaster risk reduction to the front of the text.For most of the bloc, climate is not an emissions accounting problem. It is a question of whether infrastructure survives the next monsoon. And the Declaration reflected the urgency. The text leaned hard into preparedness, with mentions on early-warning integration, voluntary principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure, anticipatory action and drought-resilient seed systems.&nbsp;Debt was named as a barrier to climate investment, and developed countries were asked for additional, predictable and accessible adaptation finance.Ulka Kelkar of WRI India highlights that the proposed Insurance Resilience Centre and Risk Lab could offer an alternative to conventional insurance approaches that lose effectiveness as climate risk rises.<h2>BRICS wants to write climate change rules, not just follow them</h2>The declaration firmly connects climate adaptation to reforms of global financial and economic systems. It seeks IMF quota reform, a correction in World Bank shareholding patterns and greater developing-country representation at the UN, while backing Ethiopia's COP32 presidency and sending a constructive signal to COP31.Archana Chaudhary of Climate Trends aptly concludes the BRICS framing: emerging economies are asking not only for a greater share of global growth, but a greater role in writing the rules that shape it.Li Shuo says the real test is whether BRICS can translate rhetoric into stronger climate action as Western countries retreat from their commitments. That will decide what kind of geopolitical force the bloc becomes.

With the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS appears to have set up its negotiating stance on climate change. The text highlighted the need for balancing the Global South's energy requirements with climate commitments. It rejected carbon border taxes, and kept fossil fuels in the mix.

When it comes to climate change, the BRICS Summit's New Delhi Declaration reads less like a communique and more like a negotiating position for the Global South. The bloc representing 40 percent of global GDP, 26 percent of global trade and nearly half the world's population made a clear push that can be described simply as: We want to not just follow the rules on climate change, we want to write them too. Coming as it did after the devastating Nepal floods, climate change was not an incidental aspect of the BRICS Declaration. It was woven throughout seperate sections of the 45-page document. The most pertinent features of BRICS Declaration on climate change: Climate finance is part of the growth and development agenda Debt is identified as a barrier to climate investment. Climate adaptation appears directly in discussions involving central banks and finance ministries BRICS seeks more financing options for developing economies, with a clear demand on developed countries when it comes to adoption. Trade policy is explicitly linked to the countries’ capacity to adapt. This is reflected in the challenge to carbon border measures. Opposition to protectionism is linked with support for multilateral trade rules even as BRICS vows to continue cooperation on trade and carbon markets There are boundaries between climate and security, with concern expressed about attempts to link security with the climate-change agenda. "For a grouping as diverse and geopolitically complex as BRICS, achieving consensus on a forward-looking climate framework is no small feat," says Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director of Climate Trends. Also read: BRICS stitches climate into its trade and growth agenda, experts say The pushback on ‘carbon borders’: The most significant point? The BRICS joint declaration's opposition to the so-called ‘carbon border adjustment mechanisms’ (CBAMs) pushed by European Union has perhaps the sharpest language on climate change issues. And that, was a work in progress. At the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in Delhi, the bloc had already described CBAM as punitive, discriminatory and protectionist . Now it is etched in the leaders' text, which called CBAM “unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist,” that undermined developing countries' efforts to address climate impacts and build adaptive capacity. The message to Brussels: Climate ambition and tariff policy can't travel in the same bus. Elsewhere, the declaration demanded to restore a functioning WTO dispute-settlement system. It also warned that tariffs pursued under environmental objectives disrupt supply chains and widen economic disparities. Also read: BRICS built 350 meetings' worth of climate cooperation this year, almost none of it comes with money Net Zero goes missing from the text Rathin Roy, Distinguished Professor at the Kautilya School of Public Policy, points to a conspicuous absence of what he calls “that favourite Euro-American phrase — Net Zero.” "For the BRICS, Net Zero is an outcome of a profoundly unsustainable development system." The keyword here is differentiated responsibilities and national circumstances. Fossil fuels will remain in the energy mix of emerging and developing economies, while renewables, hydrogen and nuclear energy will sit alongside. Developing economies will scale up clean energy on timelines set by their own development needs, not by deadlines written elsewhere. https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2026-can-brics-turn-climate-pledges-into-action-1788943824383/embed After Nepal flood tragedy, resilience is not just a buzzword BRICS Summit was taking place just two weeks after the glacier-triggered floods in Nepal killed nearly 1,400 people, and the declaration pushed adaptation, climate finance and disaster risk reduction to the front of the text. For most of the bloc, climate is not an emissions accounting problem. It is a question of whether infrastructure survives the next monsoon. And the Declaration reflected the urgency. The text leaned hard into preparedness, with mentions on early-warning integration, voluntary principles for climate-resilient urban infrastructure, anticipatory action and drought-resilient seed systems. Debt was named as a barrier to climate investment, and developed countries were asked for additional, predictable and accessible adaptation finance. Ulka Kelkar of WRI India highlights that the proposed Insurance Resilience Centre and Risk Lab could offer an alternative to conventional insurance approaches that lose effectiveness as climate risk rises. BRICS wants to write climate change rules, not just follow them The declaration firmly connects climate adaptation to reforms of global financial and economic systems. It seeks IMF quota reform, a correction in World Bank shareholding patterns and greater developing-country representation at the UN, while backing Ethiopia's COP32 presidency and sending a constructive signal to COP31. Archana Chaudhary of Climate Trends aptly concludes the BRICS framing: emerging economies are asking not only for a greater share of global growth, but a greater role in writing the rules that shape it. Li Shuo says the real test is whether BRICS can translate rhetoric into stronger climate action as Western countries retreat from their commitments. That will decide what kind of geopolitical force the bloc becomes.

With the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS appears to have set up its negotiating stance on climate change. The text highlighted the need for balancing the Global South's energy requirements with climate commitments. It rejected carbon border taxes, and kept fossil fuels in the mix.

BRICS Summit climate change stance: Delhi Declaration hints at changing priorities of Global South

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during their contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, actively offered their services to help resolve the Ukraine issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. His statement also noted that Putin "welcomed" their offer. The statement did not provide any other details.&nbsp;&nbsp;“During their bilateral meetings, Modi and Xi took a keen interest in the Ukraine settlement and actively offered their good offices to help find a solution,” Peskov said. Putin welcomed this readiness and gave Modi and Xi detailed information on the situation regarding Ukraine, Peskov added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brics-summit-2026-pm-modi-praises-india-s-chairmanship-sends-critical-minerals-and-supply-chain-message-on-day-2-china-xi-jinping-present-1789277773320">BRICS Summit: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' message in front of China's Xi</a><h2>Modi-Putin meet</h2>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Sep 11 ahead of BRICS Summit and agreed to deepen ‌their countries' longstanding ties. Putin said that the BRICS grouping should build a new platform for global growth free from Western rules. "We have always been told that competition is a sacred cow, something that must not be touched," Putin told a BRICS business forum event. "Yet, unfortunately, today your Western competitors are trying by any means necessary to regain their former leadership. This competition is sometimes assuming unsightly forms," he said, as Modi, Pezeshkian and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa listened. "They even include ​direct physical attacks or the destruction of industrial and logistical facilities, pipelines, and so forth."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-brics-summit-2026-new-delhi-declaration-modi-xi-putin-global-south-west-asia-pahalgam-china-russia-india-iran-uae-defence-1789263977357">BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates</a>&nbsp;Putin said attempts were being made to block international transport corridors and ​seize ships, without elaborating. "Illegal restrictions are also being imposed, accompanied by threats of so-called secondary sanctions against those who refuse to act in others' interests and instead defend their own ‌national interests," ⁠he said, adding that BRICS would build "a new, sustainable platform for global growth".&nbsp;Earlier, during their meet at the SCO Summit in Bishek, PM Modi had told Putin, “Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity. A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India’s message. PM Modi added that the “land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace."

The Kremlin said PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help resolve the Ukraine war during contacts with Vladimir Putin at the BRICS Summit. Putin welcomed their readiness, while Modi urged an end to the war and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during their contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, actively offered their services to help resolve the Ukraine issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. His statement also noted that Putin "welcomed" their offer. The statement did not provide any other details. “During their bilateral meetings, Modi and Xi took a keen interest in the Ukraine settlement and actively offered their good offices to help find a solution,” Peskov said. Putin welcomed this readiness and gave Modi and Xi detailed information on the situation regarding Ukraine, Peskov added. Also Read: BRICS Summit: PM Modi's 'critical minerals' message in front of China's Xi Modi-Putin meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Sep 11 ahead of BRICS Summit and agreed to deepen ‌their countries' longstanding ties. Putin said that the BRICS grouping should build a new platform for global growth free from Western rules. "We have always been told that competition is a sacred cow, something that must not be touched," Putin told a BRICS business forum event. "Yet, unfortunately, today your Western competitors are trying by any means necessary to regain their former leadership. This competition is sometimes assuming unsightly forms," he said, as Modi, Pezeshkian and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa listened. "They even include direct physical attacks or the destruction of industrial and logistical facilities, pipelines, and so forth." Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates Putin said attempts were being made to block international transport corridors and seize ships, without elaborating. "Illegal restrictions are also being imposed, accompanied by threats of so-called secondary sanctions against those who refuse to act in others' interests and instead defend their own ‌national interests," ⁠he said, adding that BRICS would build "a new, sustainable platform for global growth". Earlier, during their meet at the SCO Summit in Bishek, PM Modi had told Putin, “Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity. A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India’s message. PM Modi added that the “land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace."

The Kremlin said PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help resolve the Ukraine war during contacts with Vladimir Putin at the BRICS Summit. Putin welcomed their readiness, while Modi urged an end to the war and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

PM Modi and China's Xi offered to help resolve Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin

South Korea’s Ministry of Personnel Management announced new attire guidelines for national civil service job interviews, encouraging candidates to wear casual clothing like jeans and sneakers while explicitly banning neckties and formal dress shoes. The updated rules, which take effect for government interviews scheduled in October 2026, aim to create a less rigid environment and ease financial pressures on job seekers.&nbsp;Under the detailed directives posted to the national civil service recruitment system, the ministry explicitly requested that both male and female applicants avoid wearing traditional formal suits. Recommended alternative clothing options include jeans, cotton pants, slacks, knitwear, jackets, shirts, and sneakers. Conversely, items such as athletic wear, hiking clothes, shorts, sleeveless tops, high heels, and slippers are discouraged.Notably, neckties and formal dress shoes are strictly prohibited. To enforce the rule, ministry officials stated that candidates arriving with neckties will be asked to remove them before entering the evaluation rooms. Candidates wearing formal dress shoes will be instructed to put slip-on shoe covers over their footwear.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/beyond-romance-how-modern-k-dramas-are-celebrating-women-beyond-traditional-stereotypes-1787419598551">Beyond romance: How modern K-dramas are celebrating women beyond traditional stereotypes</a>&nbsp;The ministry explained that the ban on formal dress shoes is partially practical: the noise generated by hard-soled dress shoes clicking against hallway floors has repeatedly caused operational disruptions and distractions during examination sessions.&nbsp;Although the South Korean government has informally advised candidates to drop ties and dress more simply since 2016, the vast majority of public-sector applicants continued to rely on dark formal suits and dress shoes out of fear of being evaluated unfavourably. To break this trend, the ministry accompanied its update with artificial intelligence-generated example images demonstrating acceptable casual styles. Furthermore, the relaxed dress code will also apply to the interviewers themselves to foster a more natural exchange.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/moon-lovers-scarlet-heart-ryeo-to-twinkling-watermelon-k-dramas-that-deserve-a-second-season-1789203340658">Moon Lovers-Scarlet Heart Ryeo to Twinkling Watermelon: K-dramas that deserve a second season</a>&nbsp;The decision has drawn varied reactions across social media and job applicant forums. Supporters praised the policy for reducing the cost of purchasing single-use suits and alleviating psychological stress. Others expressed concern that eliminating the universal standard of a basic suit might induce new anxiety over choosing an appropriately casual outfit.

South Korea's Ministry of Personnel Management will allow jeans and sneakers for national civil service job interviews while banning ties and dress shoes to ease applicant burden and limit exam noise.

South Korea’s Ministry of Personnel Management announced new attire guidelines for national civil service job interviews, encouraging candidates to wear casual clothing like jeans and sneakers while explicitly banning neckties and formal dress shoes. The updated rules, which take effect for government interviews scheduled in October 2026, aim to create a less rigid environment and ease financial pressures on job seekers. Under the detailed directives posted to the national civil service recruitment system, the ministry explicitly requested that both male and female applicants avoid wearing traditional formal suits. Recommended alternative clothing options include jeans, cotton pants, slacks, knitwear, jackets, shirts, and sneakers. Conversely, items such as athletic wear, hiking clothes, shorts, sleeveless tops, high heels, and slippers are discouraged. Notably, neckties and formal dress shoes are strictly prohibited. To enforce the rule, ministry officials stated that candidates arriving with neckties will be asked to remove them before entering the evaluation rooms. Candidates wearing formal dress shoes will be instructed to put slip-on shoe covers over their footwear. Also read: Beyond romance: How modern K-dramas are celebrating women beyond traditional stereotypes The ministry explained that the ban on formal dress shoes is partially practical: the noise generated by hard-soled dress shoes clicking against hallway floors has repeatedly caused operational disruptions and distractions during examination sessions. Although the South Korean government has informally advised candidates to drop ties and dress more simply since 2016, the vast majority of public-sector applicants continued to rely on dark formal suits and dress shoes out of fear of being evaluated unfavourably. To break this trend, the ministry accompanied its update with artificial intelligence-generated example images demonstrating acceptable casual styles. Furthermore, the relaxed dress code will also apply to the interviewers themselves to foster a more natural exchange. Also read: Moon Lovers-Scarlet Heart Ryeo to Twinkling Watermelon: K-dramas that deserve a second season The decision has drawn varied reactions across social media and job applicant forums. Supporters praised the policy for reducing the cost of purchasing single-use suits and alleviating psychological stress. Others expressed concern that eliminating the universal standard of a basic suit might induce new anxiety over choosing an appropriately casual outfit.

South Korea's Ministry of Personnel Management will allow jeans and sneakers for national civil service job interviews while banning ties and dress shoes to ease applicant burden and limit exam noise.

South Korea approves jeans for civil service interviews, bans neckties and dress shoes

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