New Delhi is preparing to host the 18th BRICS summit from September 12 to 13, an event that will bring together leaders from Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, and other member nations. This marks the fourth time India has hosted the group, yet the current diplomatic landscape presents a significant challenge for the host nation.
The complexity of the summit is underscored by recent geopolitical volatility. Shortly after India assumed the chair, the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran, which is a member of the BRICS bloc. In response, Tehran retaliated against the UAE and Saudi Arabia, both of whom are also members of the group. Consequently, India faces the delicate task of convening these competing nations in a single room.
Internal divisions have already impacted the group's functionality. During a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting hosted by India in May, the participants failed to produce a joint statement, illustrating an inability to reach a consensus on the ongoing crisis in West Asia. There is growing concern that the upcoming summit could face a similar outcome, which would serve as a major diplomatic embarrassment for New Delhi.
The group’s structure has also evolved significantly since India last hosted in 2021. At that time, BRICS consisted of five core members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Today, it has expanded into an unwieldy bloc of 11 members, with the status of Saudi Arabia’s formal membership still subject to confirmation. With members now actively engaged in direct conflict, the task of maintaining unity has become increasingly difficult, leading to questions regarding the tangible benefits India receives from the group versus the substantial diplomatic headaches it entails.
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