This weekend, leaders of the Brics group—including China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, and India's Narendra Modi—met in Delhi for a summit that underscored both the bloc's growing ambition to counter Western influence and the deep divisions among its members, exacerbated by the ongoing Iran war.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the summit by proclaiming that the assembled leaders should increasingly become "rule-shapers," not "rule-takers," a phrase that captured the bloc's aspirations to reshape global governance. But the gathering also laid bare the tensions that run through an alliance of convenience.
The summit brought together figures who are hardly natural allies. India and China engaged in a deadly border clash in 2020. Iran and the United Arab Emirates—whose Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also attended—have been on opposing sides of the Middle East war, with Tehran launching missiles at its fellow Brics member.
For members such as China, Russia, and Iran, Brics offers a vehicle to dilute the influence of the United States and Western Europe. The fact that India managed to assemble these leaders in person is a feat in itself, a testament to its diplomatic reach, and the weekend provided a platform for countries to reassess their relationships in light of the Iran war.
However, agreeing on what a new global order should look like and achieving clear, tangible outcomes proved far harder, and that tension ran through the entire summit.
Analysis
Why this matters
- The summit signals a shift as Brics seeks to become a counterweight to Western dominance, potentially affecting global economic and political alliances.
- The Iran war's impact on intra-Brics relations highlights how regional conflicts can strain multilateral groupings.
- India's role as host and convener underscores its growing diplomatic influence, which could shape future global governance discussions.
Background
Brics, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include new members such as Iran and the UAE. The group has evolved as a loose forum for emerging economies to discuss issues like trade, development, and reform of international institutions. While it has sought to present a united front, its members have often been at odds, including border disputes and geopolitical rivalries. The Iran war has added a fresh layer of complexity, testing the bloc's coherence.
Key perspectives
- China, Russia, and Iran: View Brics as a platform to challenge US-led Western influence, seeking to reshape global governance in their favor.
- India: Seeks to position itself as a major power and mediator, using the summit to enhance its diplomatic standing while balancing ties with both Western and non-Western nations.
- UAE and other Gulf members: Face the challenge of navigating alliances with Iran and the broader Middle East conflict, potentially complicating their participation in the bloc.
- Skeptics: Doubt that Brics can achieve tangible outcomes given the deep fissures among its members, including historical animosities and current military confrontations.
What to watch
- Statements from the summit's closing communiqué or any joint declarations that may outline concrete steps toward a 'rule-shaper' agenda.
- Whether the Iran war leads to further realignment within Brics, particularly involving Iran and the UAE.
- Next steps for India's push to expand the bloc's influence and whether future summits yield more concrete results.