BRICS leaders are set to meet in New Delhi this weekend as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with rising tensions between the United States and China, are expected to put the bloc’s unity to the test.
India, which is hosting the summit, faces the challenge of balancing its long-standing ties with China and Russia while deepening its growing partnerships with the United States and other Western nations.
Among the leaders expected to attend are Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS has expanded into an 11-member group representing major emerging and developing economies. Together, its members account for about half of the world’s population and control a substantial share of global energy, raw materials and economic activity.
The bloc’s expansion, however, has also highlighted differences among its members. Although they generally seek a stronger role for developing nations in global affairs, their political agendas, economic priorities and foreign-policy positions often vary significantly.
The wars involving Ukraine and Iran are expected to expose those divisions further. Iran is one of BRICS’ newer members, while Russia remains a major force within the group. China has close ties with both Moscow and Tehran, while India continues to maintain relations with Russia and Iran even as it strengthens cooperation with Washington and European nations.
With such a diverse membership, reaching a common position on major international crises remains difficult. The bloc includes countries with competing regional interests, including India and China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and Ethiopia.
Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the diversity of interests within the group could limit its ability to address conflicts collectively.
“The Global South is not a homogeneous entity,” said Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. “Hence, the grouping will find it hard to manage and mediate in these conflicts.”
The Ukraine war has already highlighted the diplomatic balancing act facing India. New Delhi continues to maintain strong economic and defense ties with Moscow, including energy cooperation, while pursuing closer strategic relations with Washington.
India has consistently called for negotiations and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict instead of fully siding with either Russia or its opponents.
The confrontation between Iran and the United States could pose another challenge for BRICS. Member states have different levels of engagement with Washington and varying interests in the Middle East, making a coordinated response difficult.
China and Russia have backed Iran in international forums, while India has generally taken a more cautious approach. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also have their own strategic concerns and complicated relationships with Tehran.
The competing interests among BRICS members could ultimately make it difficult for the bloc to turn its growing economic and political weight into a common stance on major geopolitical disputes.