BRICS Summit Concludes as Xi Outlines AI and Trade Proposals

The BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi concluded with the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, marking a formal step toward multilateral cooperation. According to cppr.in, President Xi Jinping presented five key proposals during his address, focusing on artificial intelligence, trade facilitation, and digital industry cooperation. These initiatives are designed to extend the benefits of technological development to the Global South and foster a more inclusive international order.

While the summit provided a platform for high-level dialogue, the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi revealed underlying tensions. Although the meeting itself was regarded as a positive development, official readouts from both sides diverged on long-standing border issues. This discrepancy highlights that while diplomatic engagement is increasing, deep-seated strategic suspicions remain a significant challenge to full normalization of relations.

China drives AI and trade agenda

China’s proposals emphasize an open-source approach to artificial intelligence, aiming to establish a BRICS AI community that benefits all member states. The country has already established the World AI Cooperation Organisation in Shanghai, though India is not currently listed among its partner nations. Analysts suggest that for India to build a robust AI ecosystem, it may need to diversify its partnerships beyond Western powers to reduce dependency and accelerate innovation.

The trade and investment facilitation initiative proposes the creation of a BRICS Special Economic Zone Partnership. This framework would allow member countries to coordinate policies and develop intelligent portals for open development. Given that India and China are in the process of resetting bilateral relations after a six-year gap, this initiative carries particular significance for the upcoming summit in Beijing, which is expected to carry forward the momentum established in New Delhi.

Divergent narratives on bilateral relations

The differing readouts from the India-China meeting suggest that Beijing remains skeptical of New Delhi’s strategic alignment. Chinese officials reportedly suspect that external influences, particularly from the United States, play a role in shaping India’s policy toward China. Xi Jinping has urged Delhi to view the bilateral dynamic as cooperative rather than competitive, emphasizing the need for strategic cognition that is free from external interference.

Despite these challenges, the summit served as a crucial opportunity for both nations to re-engage. The brief bilateral meeting was seen as an achievement in itself, signaling a willingness to maintain dialogue despite unresolved disputes. As preparations for the next BRICS summit in Beijing begin, the focus will likely shift to how these multilateral frameworks can be leveraged to build mutual trust and dispel lingering uncertainties in the relationship.

Strategic implications for India's economy

India’s aspiration to become a robust economy in the coming years requires maximizing its production capacity. China has declared that all production houses should integrate AI to enhance efficiency, a model that India could adopt to build smart factories and accelerate growth. By deepening engagement with BRICS partners, India can leverage collective strengths to enrich its AI landscape, reduce dependency on specific partners, and position itself more effectively in the evolving global economic order.