The BRICS Summit in New Delhi has drawn criticism from Opposition parties, with the Samajwadi Party questioning what the meeting achieved and Congress targeting the all-vegetarian menu served during the event.

The criticism came after the 11-member grouping adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which expressed concern over the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.

Samajwadi Party questions BRICS outcomes

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav questioned the outcome of the BRICS Summit, saying that nothing significant had emerged from the meeting.

Yadav said more could have been done to address the wars affecting the world, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the conflict involving Iran. He said these wars were affecting economies globally.

His comments came after BRICS countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026. The declaration expressed serious concern over the escalation in the Middle East and called for maximum restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.

It also called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and stressed the importance of maintaining global trade, supply chains and energy flows.

Congress criticises all-vegetarian menu

Congress also criticised the food arrangements at the BRICS Summit, particularly the decision to serve an all-vegetarian menu to world leaders attending the event.

Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the BJP of imposing its dietary preferences on international dignitaries. The remarks added a political dimension to the menu served during the summit.

The BJP responded by accusing Congress of trivialising a major diplomatic event by focusing on the food instead of the summit’s policy discussions and resolutions.

Congress seeks details of Modi-Xi talks

Congress also demanded that the government make public details of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The demand came amid wider political reactions to the summit and its diplomatic engagements.

BRICS Summit and New Delhi Declaration

The BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, with leaders and representatives of member countries taking part in discussions on global and regional issues.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026. The document addressed the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and stressed dialogue, diplomacy and restraint.

The summit also saw diplomatic engagements on the sidelines. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a one-on-one meeting in New Delhi.

While the government highlighted the summit’s diplomatic significance, Opposition parties raised questions about its outcomes and criticised aspects of the arrangements surrounding the event.

The United Nations has backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for urgent reform of the UN Security Council, with a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying the Council’s existing structure no longer reflects the realities of the 21st century.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric was responding to PM Modi’s remarks at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister said reform of the Security Council “can no longer be delayed”.

Dujarric said there is a fundamental need to reform the Security Council as well as other international institutions.

He pointed to the Council’s current composition of five permanent members and said it does not adequately represent the world as it exists today. He argued that international institutions need to adapt to the realities of 2026 rather than continue reflecting the circumstances of 1945.

Modi calls for time-bound UNSC reform

Addressing the BRICS session on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism, PM Modi criticised the concentration of power and decision-making in the existing global governance system.

He said countries of the Global South are often at the forefront of global crises but have limited influence over decisions that affect them.

Modi proposed that BRICS countries prepare 10 proposals for global governance reforms, which could subsequently form a BRICS Reform Roadmap at the next summit.

The roadmap, he said, should focus on three broad areas — representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

On representation, Modi specifically called for reform of the UN Security Council, saying the process should be linked to a fixed timeframe and clear outcomes.

BRICS backs greater representation

The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit also reaffirmed the grouping’s support for reform of global governance institutions.

BRICS called for a more representative and equitable international system and stressed the need for greater participation of developing countries in global decision-making.

On Security Council reform, the grouping backed comprehensive changes aimed at making the body more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, with greater representation for developing countries.

The declaration also said Security Council reform should strengthen the voice of the Global South.

China and Russia, the two permanent members of the Security Council within BRICS, reiterated their support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

UN highlights India’s role

Dujarric also said India has an important role to play in addressing conflicts and helping parties communicate.

He said Guterres and PM Modi discussed conflicts including those in the Middle East and Ukraine during their meeting.

According to Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General believes India can act as a bridge builder and contribute to efforts aimed at helping conflicting sides communicate and reach peaceful settlements.

Dujarric also congratulated Modi on India’s BRICS presidency and said the adoption of a joint declaration was a credit to India’s leadership of the grouping.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. The summit is being held under India’s chairship with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said India and China can learn from each other’s strengths and support one another as he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 during Xi’s two-day visit to India. It was his first visit to the country in seven years. The discussions covered bilateral relations, border issues, trade and investment.

PM Modi stresses importance of border peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for the continued development of India-China relations.

He also underlined the need for both countries to follow existing agreements and understandings related to border issues. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question while keeping the long-term interests of both countries in mind.

The two sides also noted steady progress in bilateral relations since Modi and Xi last met in Tianjin in August 2025.

Modi stressed that differences between India and China should not turn into disputes. He said the relationship should be guided by three principles — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

Xi calls for long-term India-China ties

During the meeting, Xi Jinping said China has consistently viewed its relationship with India from a strategic and long-term perspective.

He recalled that he and Modi have met 21 times over the years and said these meetings had helped guide India-China relations towards steady development.

Xi said that despite differences in their national conditions, India and China could learn from each other’s strengths, support one another and pursue common development.

He also highlighted the responsibilities of India and China as two of the world’s most populous countries and important members of the Global South.

Both sides review bilateral relations

The two leaders carried out a comprehensive review of India-China relations and discussed measures to expand engagement.

The talks also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and continuing cooperation based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

After the meeting, Modi said the two sides had reviewed the full range of India-China relations. He also conveyed India’s best wishes to China ahead of its BRICS presidency next year.