BRICS meets in India: What’s on the agenda, why it matters

BRICS Summit Opens in New Delhi with Discussions on Trade, Energy and Regional Conflicts

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the annual BRICS Summit beginning on September 12 in New Delhi. The city features BRICS-themed signs and illuminated buildings. More than a dozen world leaders are attending the 18th annual summit of the group, which some observers describe as an alternative to economic arrangements led by wealthier Western countries.

In preparation, authorities deployed about 30,000 additional security personnel and closed streets near hotels hosting the dignitaries. Leaders including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in New Delhi on September 11 for bilateral meetings with Modi. China’s President Xi Jinping, on his first visit to India in seven years, arrived on September 12.

The two-day summit occurs amid several international conflicts, including the conflict in Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war and disruptions in global energy markets. The bloc also faces internal differences over the conflict in Iran, clashes in Yemen involving Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis, and border issues between India and China.

What is BRICS?

BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The informal group formed in 2006, with the first BRIC summit held in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010. In 2023, the group invited Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after they applied for membership. Argentina received an invitation but declined after President Javier Milei took office. Indonesia joined in 2025.

The current 11 members represent roughly 49 percent of the world’s population and about 40 percent of global GDP, according to statements from the group. The stated aim is to address economic and political arrangements dominated by Western institutions. Members set priorities and meet annually, with the host rotating. This year marks the 18th summit.

Who is attending this year’s summit?

Most BRICS members are represented by their heads of state or government. Attendees include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is not attending due to domestic elections; Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira represents Brazil.

Newer members are represented as follows: Iran by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egypt by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopia by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Indonesia by President Prabowo Subianto. Saudi Arabia is represented by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and the UAE by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Additional attendees include Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

International organization leaders present include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

What’s on the agenda?

The central theme, according to India’s BRICS presidency documents, is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” Discussions focus on trade, energy cooperation and technology, including artificial intelligence.

Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, stated that leaders will address cross-border payments in light of sanctions on Russia and Iran. She added that participants do not intend to replace the dollar. The Kremlin announced that Russia will discuss trade settlements in digital currencies with other BRICS partners.

Manoj Kewalramani of the Takshashila Institution noted that these talks aim to secure supply chains amid ongoing conflicts.

Conflict in Iran

The summit follows more than six months of the conflict in Iran. A BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in May did not produce a joint condemnation. Pezeshkian is expected to address the topic during his first visit to India as president and the first by an Iranian president in eight years.

Alejandro Reyes of the University of Hong Kong said the conflict affects trade routes and energy markets. He noted that tensions between Iran and UAE, also a BRICS member, complicate consensus. UAE officials reported that strikes attributed to Iran have killed 15 people in the UAE, including two military personnel, one civilian contractor and 12 civilians. The UAE imposed an indefinite trade embargo on Iran in August.

Russia-Ukraine war

Leaders are also expected to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. Kewalramani observed that the topic has been raised in prior summits. The July 2025 joint declaration from the Rio de Janeiro summit condemned attacks on Russia without directly criticizing Russian actions. Kewalramani stated that common language this year may not prove difficult given recent US-Russia contacts.

Earlier in September, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Putin in Moscow as part of efforts by the Trump administration to address the conflict.

Significance of the summit

Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States said the meeting allows Putin to demonstrate connections with Global South countries amid strained relations with Europe and the United States. It may also let Russia and China engage countries seeking to balance uncertain US trade and security policies.

The timing precedes a planned China-US meeting on September 24. Retired Senior Colonel Zhou Bo stated that Xi’s visit after seven years offers an opportunity to address India-China differences. He described the summit as part of routine annual schedules but noted its potential role in signaling shifts in the international order.

Zhou added that proposals such as gradual trade in alternative currencies face challenges due to economic differences among members. He also pointed to difficulties in reaching unified statements on conflicts involving major BRICS powers.

Internal divisions among members

Analysts have identified differences on geopolitical questions following the group’s expansion. On the conflict in Iran, India maintains relations with both Iran and Israel while managing ties with the United States. Kewalramani said any statement is likely to avoid naming specific countries and instead reference sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate interests.

Tensions also exist between Iran and Saudi Arabia over Houthi actions in Yemen targeting Saudi infrastructure. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government. These issues, along with India-China border disputes, illustrate ongoing challenges to unified positions within the expanded group.

The summit continues the pattern of annual meetings focused on economic coordination while members navigate differing regional priorities.