BRICS Summit Tests Unity Amid Ukraine and Middle East Wars

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi ahead of a two-day BRICS summit expected to focus on the wars in Iran and Ukraine, as well as economic pressures facing emerging economies. Putin is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to hold talks with Modi on the summit’s sidelines. The expanded BRICS grouping now includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose differing positions on the US-Israel war on Iran could make consensus difficult. Analysts quoted by AFP described the Gulf conflict as the summit’s central fault line and warned that the expansion of BRICS, previously viewed as a success, may now constrain the group’s ability to agree on common positions. The failure of BRICS foreign ministers to issue a joint statement in May was cited as evidence of growing internal divisions. Pezeshkian’s visit is his first to India as president and the first by an Iranian president in eight years, ensuring that the conflict in the Middle East will be prominent in discussions. India has maintained relations with both Iran and Israel while carefully managing ties with the United States. The war has also contributed to an energy crisis, prompting India to rely in part on Russia, despite international controversy surrounding Moscow’s fuel exports and its ongoing war in Ukraine. The summit also offers an opportunity for India and China to continue a cautious diplomatic thaw. Xi’s visit would be his first to India since 2019, following the restoration of some flights, visas and high-level contacts after a deadly clash along their disputed Himalayan border. However, mistrust remains over the border, trade imbalances and broader strategic rivalry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on September 11, 2026, ahead of a two-day BRICS summit expected to address the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with global economic challenges. The meeting brings together leaders of the expanded 11-member grouping, including Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin and Pezeshkian are scheduled to meet Modi, while Xi is expected to hold separate talks with the Indian leader. Xi’s visit is particularly significant because it is his first trip to India since 2019 and represents the most substantial sign yet of improving relations between the two countries after a deadly military confrontation along their disputed Himalayan border. Although flights, visas and senior-level contacts have gradually resumed, disagreements over the frontier, trade imbalances and strategic competition continue to produce deep mistrust. The summit is also expected to expose divisions within BRICS. The group was established in 2009 to increase the influence of major emerging economies in international institutions dominated by Western powers. Its expansion to include Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has increased its geopolitical reach, but has also brought together states with sharply different views on the Middle East conflict. Analysts warned that the war involving Iran could become a major test of the group’s unity, especially after BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement in May. India is attempting to balance relationships with Iran, Israel, Russia and the United States. It has relied partly on Russian energy to manage the consequences of the Iran war, while Russia remains an important strategic partner despite international controversy over its fuel supplies and ongoing war against Ukraine. India has also maintained diplomatic contact with Ukraine, including a recent visit by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Sept 11 for an 11-member BRICS summit expected to focus heavily on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as broader economic difficulties. The gathering brings together major powers and regional actors, including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose differing positions on the conflicts are likely to test the group’s cohesion. Putin was scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also expected to hold talks with Modi. Xi’s visit would be his first to India since 2019 and represents the most significant development in a cautious improvement in relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following a deadly 2020 clash along their disputed Himalayan border. Although flights, visas and high-level contacts have gradually resumed, unresolved territorial disputes, a widening trade deficit and strategic competition continue to hinder relations. The Middle East conflict is expected to be a major source of disagreement at the summit. Analysts described the conflict as a potential “fault line” because BRICS’ recent expansion has brought together countries with sharply contrasting foreign-policy positions. The group’s foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement in May, raising questions about whether the expanded bloc can reach consensus. India is attempting to preserve relationships with Iran, Israel, Russia and the United States while addressing its energy requirements. It has relied partly on Russia during the energy crisis linked to the Iran war, even as Moscow remains controversial because of its continuing war against Ukraine. At the same time, Indian officials have maintained contact with Kyiv, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised India’s stated commitment to ending the war.