BRICS nations condemn unilateral sanctions, warn against green trade barriers

The BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—has adopted a formal position critical of sanctions regimes imposed by individual nations outside multilateral frameworks, according to a declaration released following discussions in New Delhi. The statement reflects growing concern among the five major developing economies over the use of economic coercion as a foreign policy tool. The declaration emphasises that such measures undermine international law and fair trade principles, particularly affecting nations in the Global South seeking equitable participation in the world economy. The BRICS nations have simultaneously flagged concerns over the use of environmental standards and "green" transition requirements as disguised trade protectionism. Member states argued that wealthy nations are increasingly employing climate and sustainability criteria to restrict market access for developing countries' goods and services, creating unfair competitive advantages. The bloc called for a more balanced approach to environmental governance that does not penalise nations still building their industrial capacity. The New Delhi declaration comes as BRICS members seek to expand their collective influence in global economic governance and challenge what they view as Western-dominated trade and financial systems.