Modi-Xi meet, Delhi Declaration highlight opening day of BRICS summit

The inaugural day of the BRICS summit brought together leaders of the five-nation bloc for wide-ranging talks on pressing global issues. A bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a significant moment of engagement between the world's two most populous nations, underscoring the importance of dialogue amid regional tensions.

The New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the end of the day's proceedings, reflected consensus among member states on several key priorities. The document stressed the need to prevent wars and armed conflicts, calling for the resolution of international disputes through negotiation and diplomatic channels rather than unilateral action.

Discussions throughout the day covered critical areas including artificial intelligence governance, cross-border payment mechanisms, and the impact of unilateral sanctions on developing economies. These issues underscore BRICS members' shared concerns about reforming global financial and governance structures to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.

The summit also addressed reform of the United Nations Security Council, with member nations reiterating calls for institutional changes that would enhance representation and effectiveness. The opening day's proceedings set the tone for further substantive engagement among BRICS members on their collective agenda to reshape global economic and political architecture.