BRICS Seeks Unity Amid Global Conflict and U.S. Pressure

The BRICS business forum opened in New Delhi ahead of India’s annual summit, focusing on how member states can build more connected, resilient and efficient trade networks. Digital technology was identified as a key tool for linking businesses and creating new commercial opportunities across the group. Mtho Xulu, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that a shared digital platform could help citizens, companies and governments communicate, identify opportunities and strengthen cooperation. He also acknowledged the digital divide, while noting that the need to expand digital infrastructure could create new investment opportunities. At the leaders’ summit, BRICS members are expected to discuss economic cooperation, energy, food security, technology, supply chains and reforms to global institutions. Reducing dependence on the US dollar is also expected to be a major priority. Member states are promoting the use of their own currencies for trade and payments and advocating alternatives to financial institutions perceived as dominated by Western countries. China and Russia view BRICS as a mechanism for challenging Western influence, particularly that of the United States, while deepening cooperation among emerging and developing economies. Since its creation approximately two decades ago, the group has grown to 11 full members, including Egypt and South Africa, as well as 10 partner countries. BRICS now represents roughly half of the world’s population and a substantial portion of global economic output. The group has increasingly pushed for developing countries to receive greater representation in international institutions. The forum therefore combines practical efforts to improve trade connectivity with broader geopolitical and financial ambitions, including reform of the global economic system.

The article reports on remarks by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the opening of the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Modi called for a major overhaul of global governance, arguing that countries in the Global South are frequently affected by international decisions despite having little or no ability to influence how those decisions are made. His comments present the existing global system as unequal and insufficiently representative of developing nations. Modi urged fellow BRICS leaders to support a more equitable international order. He characterized the current arrangement as a “pyramid of privilege,” suggesting that power and decision-making remain concentrated among a limited group of countries. In its place, he advocated a system in which Global South nations have greater empowerment, participation, and influence over global institutions and policies. The report focuses on Modi’s opening address and its broader appeal for reform rather than detailing specific institutional changes or policy proposals. It highlights the central tension identified by the Indian prime minister: Global South countries bear the consequences of decisions made by others while remaining excluded from the processes that shape those decisions. The BRICS summit serves as the setting for this call to action, bringing together leaders from emerging and developing economies. Overall, the article presents Modi’s remarks as an argument for greater equality in global governance and a redistribution of influence in international decision-making. It does not assess the feasibility of his proposals or provide responses from other summit participants. Instead, it informs readers about the central message of his speech: that the international system should move away from entrenched privilege and give the Global South a more meaningful role.

The Al Jazeera Newsfeed report focuses on criticism from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the United States’ influence over the international economic system. Ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled to take place in India on September 12, 2026, the two leaders are presented as opposing the dominance of the US dollar and the broader role of the United States in global economic affairs. The report places these comments within the context of efforts by BRICS members to challenge or counterbalance existing US-led economic structures. It states that reducing the influence of the dollar is expected to be an important issue at the summit. The meeting is also expected to address what the report describes as the effects of the United States’ war on Iran, indicating that geopolitical conflict and economic policy will be closely connected in the discussions. BRICS is described as an 11-nation bloc, although the report does not identify all of its members or provide details about specific proposals. It also does not include direct quotations from Putin or Pezeshkian, nor does it explain how the bloc might respond to dollar dominance. Instead, the short video item establishes the summit’s main political and economic context: opposition to US influence, criticism of dollar-centered global finance, and the consequences of conflict involving Iran. Published on September 12, 2026, the item presents the positions of the Russian and Iranian presidents as part of a wider debate over global economic power and the future role of BRICS.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are meeting in New Delhi at the 18th BRICS summit, alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and leaders of other emerging economies. The gathering comes amid heightened geopolitical and economic pressure from the United States, including tariffs, sanctions, the war involving Iran and continued efforts to push Russia toward a settlement in Ukraine. The summit is expected to examine whether these pressures are encouraging BRICS members to deepen cooperation in trade, energy and payment systems. Several members are exploring transactions in local currencies and alternative cross-border payment mechanisms, although India favors reducing transaction costs rather than pursuing an explicitly anti-dollar or de-dollarization agenda. Russia, facing extensive Western sanctions, has strong incentives to expand economic ties with China and India, including through Chinese trade and Indian purchases of Russian oil. The meeting also reflects a cautious improvement in India-China relations. Xi’s visit is his first to India since 2019 and follows efforts by Modi and Xi to stabilize ties after deadly border clashes in 2020. Flights, visas and high-level contacts have resumed, though disputes over the Himalayan border, India’s trade deficit with China and broader strategic rivalry remain unresolved. Analysts say BRICS is not a unified anti-U.S. alliance. Its members have conflicting security interests, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, and several countries continue to maintain important relationships with Washington. India, in particular, seeks strategic autonomy while simultaneously developing ties with Russia, Iran, China and the United States through the Quad. Experts describe BRICS as a pragmatic forum focused on development, trade and reform of global institutions. The central question is whether current U.S. economic pressure will produce a meaningful new shift in cooperation or merely highlight the group’s existing divisions.

BRICS leaders meeting in New Delhi unanimously adopted a joint declaration expressing “deep concern” over escalating conflict in the Middle East and calling for “maximum restraint.” The statement urged dialogue, consultation and diplomacy, while warning against actions that could worsen the situation. Although no countries were named, the declaration was widely viewed as indirect criticism of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. BRICS members also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear sites operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, emphasizing that nuclear safety must be protected during armed conflicts. The declaration criticized unilateral sanctions and tariff measures not authorized by the UN Security Council. This position reflects the interests of Russia and Iran, both of which face extensive Western sanctions—Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and Iran amid its conflict with the United States. The summit took place as US-Iran hostilities resumed following a pause in August, while fighting involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels raised fears of a wider regional war. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with rising US-China tensions, are testing BRICS’s ability to maintain unity among countries with competing interests. The group, founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China and later expanded to 11 members, seeks to increase the influence of developing countries and promote alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented BRICS as a non-confrontational platform for the Global South and called for concrete cooperation, including a proposed seafarers’ network. Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated expanding the UN Security Council and criticized tariffs, sanctions and the use of force by countries resisting a multipolar world. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian promoted greater use of national currencies in intra-BRICS trade. For India, the summit is an effort to balance close ties with Russia and Iran against expanding relations with the United States and Europe. Modi also sought to improve strained relations with China, with expected talks with President Xi Jinping following a diplomatic thaw after border tensions.

France 24 reports that leaders of the BRICS countries are meeting in New Delhi, India, for a summit taking place on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The meeting is focused on trade, investment and global conflicts, reflecting the bloc’s effort to expand its influence in international affairs. According to the report, BRICS is seeking a larger role in shaping the global agenda on behalf of emerging and developing countries. The article frames the summit as taking place amid significant geopolitical pressure. Its headline highlights wars and tensions with the United States as challenges testing the cohesion and effectiveness of the group. However, the available article text does not specify which wars are being discussed, identify particular disagreements among members, or describe concrete agreements reached at the meeting. Instead, it provides a concise introduction to a video report from France 24 correspondent Navodita Kumari. The summit’s agenda combines economic priorities—trade and investment—with broader international conflicts and the role of developing countries in global governance. This suggests that the meeting is intended not only to address economic cooperation but also to discuss how BRICS can influence international debates and represent the interests of emerging economies. The source material is primarily an introductory video description rather than a full account of the summit’s proceedings. It establishes the meeting’s location, broad agenda and geopolitical context, while directing viewers to correspondent Navodita Kumari’s report for further details.

France 24 reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Friday, September 12, 2026, as leaders of the BRICS diplomatic bloc began talks. The meeting is presented as taking place against a backdrop of significant international instability, specifically the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. The brief video report identifies Putin’s arrival and the opening of the BRICS discussions as its central developments, but provides no further details about the meeting’s agenda, participating leaders, bilateral discussions, agreements, or statements from Putin or other officials. The report places the BRICS gathering within a broader geopolitical context. By highlighting conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, it suggests that the talks are occurring during a period of heightened global tension, although it does not explicitly explain how those conflicts may affect the bloc’s discussions. The item also does not assess internal divisions among BRICS members, describe India’s role as host, or indicate whether the meeting is expected to produce specific policy outcomes. As a short video-news item, the report is primarily factual and introductory. It confirms Putin’s presence in India and the beginning of the leaders’ talks while directing attention to the wider international circumstances surrounding the meeting. No claims are made about the success or significance of the negotiations beyond their timing amid geopolitical turmoil.

The provided NPR material introduces BRICS as a forum that brings together major emerging-market and developing countries, presenting the grouping as an effort to counter Western dominance in global affairs. The article focuses on the 18th BRICS summit, which India is hosting in New Delhi over the weekend of September 12, 2026. Its headline and brief description frame the summit as part of the broader geopolitical and economic significance of BRICS, particularly the growing role of non-Western powers and developing economies in international affairs. The available content does not include the full written report or an audio transcript. It consists primarily of the headline, an introductory description, publication information, and an embedded 4-minute audio player. Consequently, it does not provide details about the summit’s agenda, participating countries, specific policy proposals, statements by national leaders, disputes among members, or concrete outcomes. It also does not explain how the grouping intends to challenge Western influence or assess whether the summit produced agreements. Based on the supplied text, the central takeaway is that India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS summit is being presented as an important event in the evolution of cooperation among emerging economies and developing countries. The framing is analytical rather than celebratory or critical: it identifies the geopolitical purpose associated with BRICS without offering evidence or commentary that would support a strongly positive or negative assessment. The article’s primary function, as represented in the supplied material, is to inform listeners and readers about the summit and its broader international context.

BRICS leaders are gathering in New Delhi for a summit focused on trade, investment, economic cooperation and major global conflicts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and leaders from the bloc’s other members. The meeting comes as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as rising tensions between the United States and China, expose the political differences within the expanding group. Founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, BRICS now has 11 members and represents about half of the world’s population. The group seeks greater influence for emerging and developing countries in global institutions. Leaders are expected to address energy, food security, technology, supply chains and reforms to international organizations. Reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar and Western-dominated financial institutions is also a major priority, with members promoting trade in national currencies and alternative financial mechanisms. Russia and China view BRICS as a means of challenging Western influence, while Iran wants greater protection from sanctions and economic pressure. India is attempting to balance its longstanding relationships with Russia and Iran against its expanding economic, defense and technology partnerships with the United States and Europe. Modi’s expected meeting with Xi could support a diplomatic thaw following serious border tensions between India and China in 2020. A central test of the summit will be whether its members can agree on a joint statement. Foreign ministers failed to reach agreement in May over the Iran war, prompting India to issue only a chair’s summary. With conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States potentially widening, and tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels increasing, the summit will demonstrate whether BRICS can maintain unity while pursuing a larger role in global affairs.

Chinese president Xi Jinping received a ceremonial red-carpet welcome in New Delhi while attending the Brics summit, in a public sign that relations between China and India may be improving after years of tension. Xi’s visit is his first to India in seven years and follows the deadly 2020 military confrontation along the disputed Himalayan border, in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed. Since then, flights and high-level contacts between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have gradually resumed. China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was willing to manage differences with India and develop a relationship based on good-neighborly ties. The summit, hosted by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, also brought together Russian president Vladimir Putin and Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian. It takes place amid the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising US-China tensions, and questions over whether Brics can maintain unity as it expands its role in global affairs. The group, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its members represent roughly half of the world’s population and increasingly present it as a counterweight to the US-led G7. However, expansion has also produced major internal divisions. Brics foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement in May, while several members have conflicting regional interests. The group did reach consensus on a New Delhi declaration calling for peaceful dispute resolution, diplomacy and “maximum restraint” in the Middle East, though the wording avoided directly criticizing members involved in conflicts. The article highlights a strategic difference between Beijing and Delhi. China wants Brics to become a stronger counterweight to the United States, particularly under Donald Trump, while India views the organization more cautiously as a bridge between Western and developing countries. India is therefore attempting to promote a non-Western position without adopting an explicitly anti-Western stance.

BRICS leaders agreed in New Delhi on a joint declaration calling for “maximum restraint” in the Middle East, overcoming divisions that had prevented the 11-member grouping from issuing a statement after a foreign ministers’ meeting in May. The agreement was an important diplomatic test for the expanded bloc, whose members include countries with competing geopolitical interests, including the UAE, India, China, Russia and Iran. The declaration urges all parties to avoid actions that could further escalate the conflict, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. It also condemns deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, emphasizing that nuclear safety and security must be maintained even during armed conflict. The statement was issued as the six-month-old war involving Iran continues to affect the wider region. The United States and Iran have resumed reciprocal strikes following a pause for much of August. Fighting has also disrupted energy supplies and trade routes, contributing to a near-shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel. Chinese President Xi Jinping called on BRICS to play a peacemaking role, saying the war had caused serious losses and did not serve the international community’s interests. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hosted the two-day summit, presented BRICS as a platform for the Global South rather than an anti-Western alliance. He said the group had “come of age” and should convert consensus into practical international results. Founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, BRICS later added South Africa and six other members. The bloc now represents about a quarter of global nominal GDP and roughly half of the world’s population, including major energy producers and consumers.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi as the 18th Brics summit began. The meeting took place during a reception at Hyderabad House and focused on the longstanding relationship between the UAE and India. According to the article, the leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral co-operation and promote greater economic integration between the two countries. The talks also examined potential partnerships in important sectors, with both sides exploring new opportunities to expand collaboration. The meeting was framed within the broader UAE-India relationship and the countries’ Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which provides a foundation for increased trade and investment. The two-day Brics summit began on Saturday in New Delhi. The group was initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but has since expanded to include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and Ethiopia. The article places Sheikh Khaled’s meeting with Modi within this wider multilateral setting, highlighting the UAE’s participation in Brics and its efforts to strengthen economic and strategic links. The meeting reflects the importance both countries attach to their historic friendship and to developing new avenues for co-operation. It also corresponds with the UAE’s broader interest in using Brics to support stronger links between eastern and western economies. The article does not report specific agreements or announcements arising from the talks, but presents the meeting as a high-level discussion aimed at expanding future partnerships across vital sectors.

The UAE is using its membership in the Brics grouping to deepen trade, economic and people-to-people connections between East and West, according to Omran Sharaf, the country’s assistant foreign minister for advanced science and technology affairs and its Brics “sherpa.” Speaking ahead of the Brics summit in New Delhi, Sharaf said the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub made it natural for the country to connect North and South, as well as Eastern and Western markets. He described Brics as a platform for overcoming geopolitical polarization, promoting innovation and market access, and advancing discussions that have stalled in other multilateral forums. Sharaf acknowledged that Brics members do not always agree because each country prioritizes its own national interests, shaped by geography, history, demographics and regional circumstances. He characterized these differences as a normal feature of a multipolar world. The bloc, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded from 2024 to include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Its members represent nearly half the world’s population and about 40 percent of global GDP at purchasing-power parity. The UAE delegation to the summit is led by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed. The article notes that the UAE joined the New Development Bank in 2021 and formally became a Brics member in January 2024. Sharaf also highlighted the UAE’s growing relationship with India, its important trade and strategic partner. Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, while approximately 4.3 million Indians live in the UAE. Regional conflict has increased the UAE’s focus on alternative trade routes and infrastructure. The reported disruption of the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli strikes on Iran underscored the risks posed by maritime chokepoints. Sharaf said projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were important to keeping trade moving and protecting the UAE’s economy.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Brics summit on September 12, 2026. The meeting was part of a series of bilateral discussions held at Hyderabad House during the two-day gathering of Brics members and partner countries. According to a readout issued by the UAE’s official WAM news agency, the two leaders discussed regional and international issues. Their talks highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives aimed at easing tensions, encouraging de-escalation and strengthening stability across the region. They also considered ways to advance prospects for peace and development. The article presents the meeting as part of wider diplomatic engagement during the summit, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Although the report does not provide details about specific disputes, agreements or initiatives discussed, it places the encounter within broader efforts to reduce regional tensions and support stability. The meeting is notable because it brought together senior officials from the United Arab Emirates and Iran during a major international gathering. The account remains factual and concise, relying on the official readout and offering no direct quotations from either leader. It focuses primarily on the diplomatic themes of dialogue, de-escalation, regional stability, peace and development rather than on any immediate policy announcement or concrete outcome.