BRICS countries are placing greater emphasis on energy security as geopolitical tensions and disruptions to international energy routes create renewed uncertainty for global oil and gas markets. The issue featured prominently during the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi on September 12–13, where member countries backed stronger cooperation on energy resilience and supply-chain stability.
The focus comes at a critical time for the global energy market. Rising tensions in West Asia have disrupted established energy flows and increased concerns over the availability and cost of crude oil and natural gas. The situation has highlighted the exposure of major importing economies to disruptions along strategically important maritime routes.
In its New Delhi Declaration, BRICS emphasized the importance of stable and diversified energy markets, resilient supply chains and infrastructure capable of supporting secure energy flows. The bloc also called for greater cooperation in areas linked to energy transition, including digitalization of energy systems and the development of critical mineral resources.
The energy discussion reflects the changing priorities of the expanded BRICS grouping. The bloc now includes major energy producers as well as some of the world’s largest consumers, giving it a significant role in discussions over energy supply, infrastructure and the future of global energy markets.
For India, the issue carries particular importance because the country’s economic growth remains closely connected to reliable and affordable energy supplies. Any prolonged disruption in international crude or gas markets can affect transportation costs, industrial activity and inflation. Strengthening relationships with energy-producing nations is therefore an important part of India’s broader energy-security strategy.
BRICS members also recognized that the transition toward cleaner energy will need to take account of the different economic circumstances of developing countries. The New Delhi Declaration supported a just, orderly and inclusive energy transition while acknowledging that fossil fuels will continue to have a role in meeting energy requirements, particularly in emerging and developing economies.
The bloc’s approach extends beyond crude oil. Critical minerals are increasingly becoming strategically important because they are required for batteries, renewable-energy technologies and other advanced systems. BRICS leaders have therefore highlighted the need for reliable and diversified mineral supply chains as part of broader energy and economic resilience.
The current oil-market uncertainty has also underlined the importance of secure maritime transportation. Disruptions to major shipping routes can quickly affect energy prices and supply availability across regions. Stronger coordination among BRICS members could help improve resilience against such external shocks.
Energy cooperation is also closely linked to the group’s wider economic agenda. BRICS is seeking to strengthen trade and financial cooperation while increasing the resilience of supply chains and reducing vulnerabilities created by geopolitical and economic disruptions. The summit therefore connected energy security with broader efforts to make emerging economies more capable of dealing with global shocks.
However, converting the bloc’s commitments into practical energy cooperation will require sustained coordination. BRICS members have different energy mixes, domestic priorities and strategic interests, which can make agreement on specific initiatives difficult. Despite these differences, the New Delhi summit demonstrated a growing recognition that energy security is a shared strategic concern.
With global oil and gas markets remaining vulnerable to geopolitical developments, BRICS is increasingly positioning energy resilience as an important element of its wider cooperation agenda. The New Delhi Declaration provides a framework for deeper collaboration on secure energy supplies, resilient infrastructure, critical minerals and the long-term transition toward more sustainable energy systems.
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