India will host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12–13, facing divisions over Iran, the UAE and the wider Middle East conflict.

BulletsIn

• India will host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, aiming to strengthen the bloc’s global influence despite growing internal divisions.
• The Middle East conflict has created tensions between BRICS members Iran and the UAE, challenging the group’s consensus-based decision-making.
• Iran’s conflict with the United States and Israel has disrupted regional stability and severely affected energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
• The UAE suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran after facing Iranian missile attacks during the ongoing regional conflict.
• BRICS members must negotiate acceptable language on the Middle East crisis before leaders can agree on a joint declaration.
• China’s participation alongside India highlights Beijing’s importance to BRICS efforts to maintain cohesion within the expanded grouping.
• Russia, Iran, South Africa, Egypt and Indonesia are also expected to participate, alongside United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
• BRICS expansion has increased global representation but also introduced members with conflicting interests, making consensus and joint decisions more difficult.
• Previous BRICS foreign ministers’ talks failed to produce a joint statement because of disagreements between Iran and the UAE.
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit offered optimism after members agreed on language regarding Iran that accommodated differing national positions.
• United States tariff policies and protectionist measures could encourage BRICS members to deepen economic coordination and pursue stronger collective responses.
• The summit’s outcome will test whether BRICS can bridge geopolitical differences while advancing cooperation among major emerging economies.