India Hosts BRICS Summit Amid Iran War Tensions
India will host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, with the bloc facing a major test of unity as the Iran war deepens divisions among its members. Iran and the UAE are on opposing sides of the conflict, while tensions have already affected trade and financial ties between the two countries. The war has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
A key challenge for the summit will be reaching agreement on language addressing the Middle East crisis that both Iran and the UAE can accept. BRICS expanded in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia, increasing its representation of the Global South but also bringing together countries with differing geopolitical interests. Previous BRICS foreign ministers’ talks in May ended without a joint statement because of disagreements over the Gulf conflict.
The summit will also draw attention to key bilateral meetings, including expected talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as Modi’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi’s visit to India, his first in seven years, highlights China’s interest in the expanded bloc. India is expected to use the summit to strengthen its diplomatic role while balancing ties with China, Russia, the U.S. and other major powers.
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