18th BRICS Summit: New Delhi Declaration Adopted, Global South Priorities And Reforms Stressed

Another edition of the Ladakh Marathon was organised on Sunday, drawing more than five thousand runners from across the globe. Divided into three categories—a forty-five kilometre stretch through the Silk Route, a twenty-one-kilometre half marathon, and an eleven-point-five-kilometre run—the annual event has grown steadily since its inception after the devastating 2010 Ladakh floods. Held at high altitude, it is recognised as the world's highest marathon. Senior participant Ratan Singh shared his experience completing the 21.2-kilometre half marathon within three hours and thirty-seven minutes. He commended the organisers, volunteers, media, police, and defence forces for seamless event management, while urging Indian youth to embrace fitness routines and shun drugs to build a healthier nation.

At the conclusion of the two-day BRICS summit in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised inclusivity and cautioned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals. In the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, member nations adopted the New Delhi Declaration, expressing serious concern over unilateral tariffs and non-tariff trade measures violating World Trade Organization rules. The summit strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack, reaffirming zero tolerance for terrorism and rejecting double standards. Addressing the West Asia conflict, BRICS urged restraint and advocated dialogue and diplomacy. The grouping also agreed on initiatives including an early warning system for infectious diseases, disaster management guidelines, and proposed a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund.

A comprehensive overview of governance achievements and nationwide outreach initiatives was presented during a media address. Key milestones highlighted include the lifting of millions out of multi-dimensional poverty, direct benefit transfers via bank accounts, tap water connections, free ration distribution, sanitation coverage, and housing initiatives. Significant progress in economic transformation was outlined, focusing on gross domestic product growth, digital public infrastructure, tax reforms, banking sector turnaround, and infrastructure expansion across railways, roadways, and aviation. Major policy decisions concerning national security, legislative representation for women, internal security improvements, and administrative reforms across several states were detailed. A series of community service programmes, outreach drives, innovation challenges, and governance dialogues spanning villages to representative assemblies were announced to connect with beneficiaries and promote citizen participation across the country.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid out plans for the Sewa Sankalp programme to mark the Prime Minister's birthday and celebrate his 25 years of public service. The Home Minister detailed the governance and development milestones achieved under the Prime Minister over the past 12 years. In his address, he also took potshots at previous regimes, particularly the Congress and the opposition, pointing to rampant corruption during their tenure and highlighting the transition to effective governance and national development.