BRICS Leaders Back India and Brazil for Expanded UN Security Council Role

During the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the member states issued a joint declaration that places multilateral reform at the center of the global agenda. According to the text released by the organization, China and Russia, acting in their capacities as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterated their support for the desire of Brazil and India to assume a greater role within the United Nations. This endorsement is not a new development but rather a continuation of positions previously taken in the Beijing and Johannesburg declarations, signaling a consistent bloc stance against the current composition of the Security Council.

The declaration goes beyond the Security Council to advocate for broader inclusivity in global decision-making bodies, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It emphasizes the need for equitable geographical representation and highlights the persistent underrepresentation of developing nations in senior leadership roles. By framing these demands as a matter of contemporary reality and transparency, the BRICS nations are seeking to reshape the institutional architecture of global governance to better reflect the demographic and economic weight of emerging markets.

Pushing for Gender and Regional Equity

A distinct feature of the Delhi Declaration is its explicit focus on gender and regional diversity in international organizations. The document notes that no woman has ever been elected as the UN Secretary-General and calls for the selection process to be guided by principles of transparency and inclusiveness. According to the declaration, the appointment of executive heads should adhere to the rule that no single state or group of states should hold a monopoly on senior posts. This stance challenges the traditional power dynamics that have historically favored a narrow set of nations in these critical leadership positions.

The BRICS leaders also called for merit-based and inclusive selection processes to increase the representation of emerging markets in the leadership of the IMF and the World Bank. They expressed concern over attempts to unilaterally undermine the mandates of these multilateral institutions. By linking gender equity with regional representation, the declaration presents a unified front for a more balanced distribution of power in the global financial and political systems, arguing that current structures do not adequately reflect the contributions of developing countries.

Reforming Global Trade and Financial Structures

Beyond the UN, the summit addressed significant reforms in the World Trade Organization, the IMF, and the World Bank. The declaration supports changes to IMF quotas and World Bank shareholding to better align with the economic realities of member states. It also welcomes specific measures such as China’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African states, while simultaneously condemning unilateral tariffs and sanctions that are not authorized by the UN Security Council. This dual approach highlights the bloc's strategy of promoting open trade among its members while resisting external economic pressures.

The commitment to local-currency payments remains a central pillar of the BRICS economic strategy, although the declaration notes that these mechanisms should remain voluntary. By advocating for a multilateral order that is less susceptible to unilateral economic coercion, the BRICS nations are attempting to create a more resilient framework for international commerce. This stance is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and the increasing use of financial tools as instruments of state policy.

Geopolitical Stances on Conflict and Sanctions

The declaration also took specific positions on several high-profile geopolitical issues. Regarding the conflict in Gaza, the BRICS leaders called for the maintenance of the October 2025 ceasefire and a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as the capital. In a separate but related statement, the summit condemned the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam as an act of terrorism. These statements reflect the bloc's attempt to present a unified stance on security and humanitarian issues, even as member states may have varying diplomatic priorities.

According to the GN geopolitics/un analysis, the Delhi Declaration serves as a clear signal of the BRICS bloc's growing confidence in challenging the status quo of international institutions. By aligning their demands for UN reform with broader economic and geopolitical positions, the member states are seeking to establish a more multipolar world order. The forward question remains how these declarations will translate into concrete policy changes within the UN and other multilateral bodies, and whether the major powers will respond to these calls for reform or maintain the existing institutional frameworks.