Leaders of the BRICS nations gathered in New Delhi on Saturday for a summit centered on trade, investment, and global conflicts, as the bloc aims to expand its influence in shaping the global agenda for developing nations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and counterparts from the other eight member states. The meeting takes place as ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside increasing U.S.-China friction, challenge the bloc’s capacity to build consensus among nations with diverse geopolitical aims. Security was tightened across New Delhi, with thousands of police and paramilitary forces deployed alongside localized traffic restrictions. Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, the group has grown to 11 members, accounting for roughly half of the world’s population and a major portion of global economic output. Discussions at the summit cover economic partnership, energy, food security, technology, supply chains, and reforms of international institutions. A central focus remains decreasing dependence on the U.S. dollar by encouraging local currencies for trade and payments, alongside advocating for alternatives to Western-led financial bodies. While China and Russia view the bloc as a means to counter Western dominance, Putin stated at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday that the group is not directed against anyone and that Moscow welcomes global cooperation. Iran, facing extensive sanctions and a U.S. blockade, advocated for systems to limit Western financial influence, with Pezeshkian supporting expanded trade using national currencies. China is using the platform to bolster its regional influence and present the group as a counterweight to Washington. For India, the summit underscores its diplomatic balancing act of preserving strategic ties with Russia and Iran while strengthening economic, defense, and technology partnerships with the U.S. and Europe. Modi held separate bilateral meetings with Putin and Pezeshkian on Friday, and is scheduled to meet Xi later on Saturday in an effort to further warm relations following 2020 border tensions. A major hurdle for New Delhi will be achieving a unified joint statement, a challenge highlighted in May when BRICS foreign ministers could not agree on a declaration regarding the Iran war. The summit unfolds against the backdrop of heightened regional fears following the Iran war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, testing the coalition’s unity as members navigate conflicting stances on international conflicts and relations with the United States.
Source: npr.org
