BRICS Summit Opens in New Delhi Amid Ukraine, Middle East Wars

Leaders of the BRICS grouping meet in New Delhi this weekend for a two-day summit dominated by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and by rising U.S.-China tensions. The bloc now comprises 11 countries representing roughly half the world's population and a large share of global energy and economic output.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to arrive as early as Friday for bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been invited, though Beijing had not confirmed his attendance as of Thursday.

“The Global South is not a homogeneous entity. Hence, the grouping will find it hard to manage and mediate in these conflicts.”

India, the host, is seeking to maintain close ties with Moscow — including energy and defence pacts — while deepening its strategic partnership with Washington. New Delhi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy rather than taking sides in the major conflicts.

The expanded membership has exposed divisions. The grouping includes rivals such as India and China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and Ethiopia. Analysts say the bloc will struggle to forge a common position on the wars that are straining its cohesion.

"The Global South is not a homogeneous entity," said Praveen Donthi, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. "Hence, the grouping will find it hard to manage and mediate in these conflicts."