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The BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded without addressing the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, despite its impact on the bloc's 11 members and 10 partner countries. The group's inability to reach a unified stance on the conflict, evident since a foreign ministers' meeting in May that acknowledged internal differences, highlights the challenges of managing regional rivalries within an expanded BRICS. As members, particularly India, China, and Russia, prioritize their unique relationships with the US and avoid taking an anti-American position, the bloc struggles to convert its economic weight into cohesive geopolitical action.

Leaders of the BRICS group adopted a joint declaration at a summit in New Delhi, emphasizing restraint in the Middle East while refraining from naming specific countries involved in conflicts like the US-Israel strikes or the war in Ukraine. The 11-member bloc, which comprises nations accounting for nearly half the world’s population and about 40 percent of global GDP, focused on promoting reform in international institutions without being seen as anti-Western. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a pivotal moment for BRICS as they called for the Global South to play a larger role in global governance.

During the BRICS Summit in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of a joint declaration emphasizing cooperation to ensure the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy while expressing concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East. The declaration, which came after months of discord due to the Iran war affecting multiple BRICS members, calls for a peaceful resolution to international disputes and does not name specific countries in its condemnation of unilateral wars. BRICS now consists of 11 members representing about half of the world's population and approximately 40% of global economic output, positioning them to challenge Western political dominance and advocate for a multilateral approach in global governance.

U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies, including a threatened additional 10 percent tariff on nations aligning with BRICS, may be inadvertently fostering economic cooperation among the bloc’s 11 diverse members, who collectively account for nearly half the world’s population and about 40 percent of global GDP. Despite Trump's actions, BRICS is not forming an anti-U.S. alliance, but countries are increasingly seeking to mitigate dependence on the U.S. financial system, which holds 57.1 percent of global foreign-exchange reserves as of Q1 2026, while the Chinese renminbi constitutes only 2 percent. Efforts to lessen reliance on the dollar include direct currency transactions between member nations, such as South Africa and China settling in renminbi, and Brazil and China using their own currencies for trade.

The BRICS summit in New Delhi, attended by leaders including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Masoud Pezeshkian, marks the 20th anniversary of the bloc amidst internal rifts and geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning the Middle East and Ukraine. The summit addresses various pressing issues such as trade, finance, and technology, while also reflecting on the stark divisions among members like Iran and the UAE regarding US actions. The bloc's finance ministers have voiced concerns over tariffs that distort trade, with the US previously labeling BRICS as "anti-American" and threatening punitive measures against its members.

Leaders of the BRICS nations are meeting in New Delhi to discuss trade, investment, and global conflicts, amid rising tensions from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and U.S.-China frictions. The grouping, which now includes 11 members representing about half the world's population and a significant portion of global economic output, aims to enhance representation for developing countries and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in favor of national currencies for trade. The summit also serves as a platform for India to balance its strategic partnerships with Russia and Iran while improving ties with the U.S. and Europe, with significant discussions expected between Modi and Xi to address their nations' strained relationship.

Leaders of the 11-nation BRICS summit in New Delhi include representatives from China, Russia, and Iran, amidst ongoing global trade tensions due to US tariffs and a seven-month conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran. The summit presents a challenge for the bloc's cohesion, especially as Iran pushes for condemnation of Washington, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who have faced attacks from Iran, are also members. The discussions aim to determine a unified stance on the conflict and explore how to enhance the influence of the Global South in the global economy.

Leaders from 11 Brics nations, including India, China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, the UAE, and Iran, will convene in Delhi amid uncertainty surrounding the impact of President Trump's policies on global energy markets and trade. Brics accounts for 49% of the world's population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of international trade, but achieving a consensus statement that challenges the US directly may prove difficult due to divergent interests among member nations. Despite the geopolitical challenges, the group aims to promote de-dollarisation efforts and continue positioning itself as a voice for developing nations while addressing financial crises through its $100 billion contingency reserve arrangement.

A BRICS member has faced ongoing attacks, leading to internal conflicts among the group, with India hosting a summit on September 12-13 to navigate these tensions amidst a U.S.-led war on Iran. The BRICS bloc, which includes emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include countries like Iran and the UAE since 2024, aiming to challenge the Western order but struggling to achieve unified foreign policy action. While the organization has created a platform for the Global South, analysts note that divisions hinder its effectiveness, even as it seeks to make Western dominance more challenging.