West Asia tensions threaten consensus at upcoming BRICS summit
India's effort to secure a unified BRICS declaration is being hampered by sharp divisions over the conflict in West Asia.
The BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi faces a major obstacle: divergent views on the West Asia conflict, particularly the Iran-UAE tension over the Strait of Hormuz. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov said that some members sharply criticize Tehran, making the Gulf issue the bloc's most pressing political challenge, and he could not forecast the final document's outcome. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed the difficulty but expressed confidence in finding acceptable language.
Chinese commentary highlighted India's economic strengths and urged stronger India-China trade, while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to prioritize election campaigning and send foreign minister Mauro Vieira. South African media questioned whether BRICS expansion has weakened cohesion, and Indian outlets noted concerns over Chinese restrictions on critical technologies. Success for New Delhi will hinge on delivering concrete trade agreements while crafting a shared political statement.
Why it matters
The ability of BRICS to present a united stance on the Gulf dispute will affect global trade dynamics and geopolitical alignments.
How this story developed
- Sep 4 India Hosts 2026 BRICS Leaders Summit with Global Leaders in New Delhi
- Sep 9 A bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin has been added to the summit agenda.
- Sep 9 India is positioning the summit as a development‑oriented bridge and has set aside the idea of a shared BRICS currency.
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