BRICS New Delhi summit signals deeper challenge to US-led economic order
Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed a joint declaration in New Delhi, highlighting cooperation on development, AI and payment systems while confronting US pressure on de-dollarisation.
The latest BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded with a joint declaration that addressed a wide range of issues from infrastructure funding to environmental challenges, reflecting the group’s ambition to reshape global governance. A notable outcome was Xi Jinping’s pledge to create a BRICS AI Open Source Community, aimed at lessening member states’ dependence on US-controlled technology platforms. While the foreign ministers failed to issue a separate statement, the presence of leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates highlighted the bloc’s expanding outreach to the global south.
The summit also reiterated calls for reform of the existing international economic system, citing the New Development Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement as effective tools for supporting developing nations. Tensions with the United States were evident, especially after President Donald Trump warned of severe consequences for any move toward de-dollarisation, yet the BRICS leaders presented a united front on issues such as sanctions and sovereign autonomy. The event reinforced the perception that BRICS is evolving from an aspirational forum into a more structured platform for multilateral cooperation.
Why it matters
The summit shows BRICS coordinating policies that could reshape global finance and technology away from US dominance.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCenter coverage examines how China uses the term “Global South” to frame the SCO and BRICS, while right-leaning coverage stresses the summit’s concrete moves that challenge the US-led economic order, such as the AI open-source pledge and outreach to other global-south nations.
CENTER
Centrist coverage highlights China’s rhetorical positioning of the SCO and BRICS as representatives of the “Global South.”
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the summit as a growing challenge to the US-led economic system, emphasizing new initiatives and broader outreach.
The right emphasises
- The summit’s joint declaration covers infrastructure funding and environmental challenges, reflecting an ambition to reshape global governance.
- Xi pledged a BRICS AI Open Source Community to lessen dependence on US-controlled technology platforms.
- Leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE highlight the bloc’s expanding outreach to the global south and calls for reform of the international economic system.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Trump and Xi extend trade truce amid ongoing strategic rivalry
- Sep 29 The bilateral trade truce has been extended.
- Oct 6 Xi warned that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan might cause China to withdraw from the truce, pressuring the White House.
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