New Delhi is preparing to welcome the BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12–13, aiming to elevate the international stature of the group even as an American-led military campaign against Iran divides its members, placing Tehran and Abu Dhabi on opposite sides of the hostilities. According to reports from New Delhi, the high-stakes meeting takes place more than six months after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, which has been a BRICS member since 2024. The conflict has triggered a virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point in the global oil trade, pushing crude prices past $100 a barrel.
Middle East Tensions Threaten BRICS Joint Declaration
The core challenge for the expanded bloc is bridging deep regional divides to secure a consensus-backed joint statement. Following months of missile exchanges, BRICS member UAE suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran in August after being hit by Iranian strikes. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted on Tuesday that these differences have a “negative impact” and obstruct the drafting of a joint declaration, though he expressed hope that leaders could find mutually acceptable phrasing.
Foreign policy experts point out that the group operates strictly on consensus. Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, observed that Iran, the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia are embroiled in regional tensions, describing it as “bad news for an entity that operates based on consensus.” Kugelman added that while expansion reflects growing appeal, divergent views among new members could render the group less effective.
Did You Know? BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa before expanding to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia to better represent the Global South. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia participates via lower-level delegations, with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attending the New Delhi meeting.
Diplomatic Precedents and Regional Summits
Despite the deadlock that caused foreign ministers to fail to issue a joint statement in New Delhi last May, recent diplomatic efforts offer alternative models. Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Bhatia noted that the Bishkek outcome raised hopes that BRICS could similarly navigate its internal divisions.
President Donald Trump’s protectionist and unilateral tariff policies give emerging economies shared economic incentives to close ranks. These shared pressures could spark crucial two-way or three-way bilateral talks on the summit sidelines.
Expert Insight: Navigating consensus among nine diverse member states requires delicate diplomatic maneuvering from New Delhi. While a BRICS joint statement is unlikely to radically reshape the immediate geopolitical landscape, finding common ground against Western sanctions demonstrates how shared economic friction can temporarily override regional hostilities.
High-Level Bilateral Talks in New Delhi
The summit also brings together major world leaders for high-profile bilateral engagements. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending in his first visit to India in seven years, placing Beijing alongside New Delhi at the center of efforts to preserve bloc unity. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are all scheduled to attend, with the UAE represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Ahead of the summit, Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, focusing heavily on trade and economic cooperation. Russia remains one of India’s largest energy suppliers as New Delhi continues to balance its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow against ongoing pressure from Washington regarding Russian oil purchases. In addition, Modi and Xi are slated to discuss their economic ties and overall relationship during their talks, which will be their third interaction since a pact made last year to defuse military friction along their contested Himalayan border initiated a thaw in diplomatic channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the BRICS summit taking place?
The BRICS Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for September 12–13 in New Delhi, India.
Why is the UAE-Iran conflict affecting the summit?
The U.S.-led war on Iran and subsequent missile exchanges led the UAE to suspend trade with Iran in August. Because BRICS operates on consensus, these deep regional tensions complicate the drafting of a unified joint declaration.
Which leaders are expected to attend the New Delhi meeting?
Confirmed attendees include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UAE will be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
How will India manage competing diplomatic pressures between traditional partners and expanding regional blocs during this weekend’s summit?
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