WHILE the Western world saw the BRICS summit in New Delhi with its highly-tinted glass, the consensus formed by the bloc’s members on various tricky issues cannot be ignored for the weight it has given to the Global South in current geopolitical churning. The New Delhi Declaration has come up as a solid statement reaffirming the much-needed revival of BRICS as a formidable front. Cornering the glory for the success of the BRICS summit will be India which has yet again established its growing stature as a Global South balancer and a force that can bind nations together, notwithstanding their bilateral differences. India’s moment of success came in the joint statement signed by all the members including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran which are at loggerheads over Tehran’s attacks on US bases in the Gulf countries. Indian diplomacy must be commended for effecting a last-minute compromise between the two countries for the agreed text. Many such moments made the BRICS summit a highly successful venture with signals of a new axis taking firm roots against imperialist forces.

 

The condemnation of unilateral decisions on various fronts including economy, security and conflicts by some countries was an obvious reference to the United States. The BRICS has made it loud and clear that hegemony would not be allowed to become a weapon in the hands of a powerful economy. That the message was delivered and made a desired impact could be seen from the interpretation of the New Delhi Declaration by the Western media. It was, in a way, an endorsement of the BRICS success as a meaningful grouping led by some top economies and military powers. The BRICS was supposed to assume this role when it evolved from a bloc for economic gains to become a powerful political voice of the Global South. However, it took a long time to realise its true potential.

 

The real shake-up began just a few years ago when the members recognised the need to keep their differences aside and emerge as a powerful economic and political front that need not be anti-West but be an equal alternative in case of hegemonic policies. The moment finally came when US President Mr. Donald Trump started using tariffs as a tool to unleash economic terrorism on the world. Subsequent military actions and constant threats to even close American allies underscored the need for revival of the BRICS power. A good start has finally been made in the New Delhi summit. India deserves accolades not only as the host but also as a unifier without compromising on its stated position. New Delhi managed to detach bilateral issues with China to bring it on the same page in BRICS and at the same time Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi sent out a veiled warning to Beijing that technology and critical minerals could not be weaponised.

 

The reference was to the curbs on supply of critical minerals by China after the US imposed heavy trade sanctions. Beijing’s action had a larger impact as the world, too, started facing a shortage of rare earth material needed for modern technology. Mr. Modi did extremely well to bring this issue in his speech with Chinese premier Mr. Xi Jinping in the room. PM Modi used the summit to clear many perceptions among the BRICS members as he also warmed up to Iran’s President Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian to assuage any feelings that New Delhi was tilting towards the US. Through the BRICS chairship, India has enhanced its reputation as a responsible power seeking shared prosperity in a rules-based world. With access to both sides of the divide, India holds the power to be a unifier, a fact which has been publicly acknowledged by the world. Though the BRICS did not talk about having its own currency -- a fear that has pervaded into the White House -- the members agreed on expanding trade in national currencies. It was a smart move to keep the pot boiling. The BRICS summit will be remembered for such moments with a message that despite differences, consensus can always be achieved.