Oman hails India’s BRICS consensus-building, says it is ‘nothing new’ for New Delhi

Oman praised India on Sunday for successfully steering the expanded BRICS grouping to a joint declaration at the New Delhi summit, saying New Delhi has "consistently demonstrated" its ability to build consensus among diverse members. The 11 BRICS countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, a 140-point statement covering conflicts, terrorism, trade, energy security, climate change, technology, development and reforms of global institutions.

“There was a pessimistic view about reaching a declaration. But India has been really successful in reaching out to a declaration. This is nothing new to India,” said Issa Alshibani, Oman’s Ambassador to India, in an interview with ANI on Sunday.

Context and details

Alshibani characterized India’s role in the summit as emblematic of its broader capacity to bring “multinational, multi-countries into consensus” on complex international issues. He acknowledged that observers had doubted whether the enlarged BRICS — which now includes a wider set of economies with differing priorities — would be able to agree a joint text, but said India overcame those doubts through diplomacy and outreach.

The New Delhi Declaration addresses a wide slate of geopolitical and economic challenges. Its 140 points range from calls for reforms of global institutions and support for multilateralism to concrete positions on energy markets and supply chains. The declaration explicitly calls for stable and diversified energy markets, resilient energy supply chains and infrastructure, and advocates a “just, orderly, equitable and inclusive” energy transition while recognising that fossil fuels will continue to play an important role alongside renewables and nuclear energy for emerging markets and developing economies.

• Summit date and outcome: New Delhi summit, September 12 — adoption of the New Delhi Declaration by 11 BRICS countries.
• Declaration scope: 140-point declaration covering conflict, terrorism, trade, energy security, climate, technology and institutional reform.
• Diplomatic view: Issa Alshibani describes India’s consensus-building as “nothing new” and highlights scepticism that a declaration could be reached.
• Regional implications: The declaration urged maximum restraint amid West Asia tensions and stressed diplomacy, dialogue, respect for sovereignty and protection of civilians.

Energy security featured prominently in both the declaration and Alshibani’s remarks. He noted that the ongoing turmoil in West Asia has sharpened global concerns about energy supplies, saying: “People have seen the impact of the shortage of energy. What we have seen is that countries are really trying hard to overcome the constraint with regard to energy.” Oman, though not a BRICS member, is an important energy supplier to India and a major trading partner, and the envoy underlined that shortages can hinder broader economic development.

Outlook

Alshibani said Muscat closely follows outcomes of major multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the G20, describing Oman and India’s engagement through the G20 as a “knowledge-sharing experience” that enhanced understanding of multilateral dynamics. As the expanded BRICS seeks a stronger voice for the Global South while managing internal differences, the New Delhi Declaration’s emphasis on consensus, sovereign equality and a more representative international order signals an intent to keep diplomatic channels open even as geopolitical tensions persist. For Oman, the summit’s energy-focused language and calls for diversified, resilient supply chains will remain of direct strategic interest as it monitors developments that affect trade and energy flows with India and other partners.