New Delhi will be in the spotlight this weekend as leaders from Iran, Russia, and China attend the BRICS summit in India. This meeting takes place during a challenging period with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe testing the alliance.
The summit, held from September 12-13, follows more than six months of tension between the U.S. and Iran. It comes soon after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where some involved leaders recently convened.
Originally formed in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the BRICS alliance now includes nations such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Iran-India Relations
Key on the agenda are Iran-India relations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to focus on trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, and regional developments. Their meeting happens shortly after reaffirming their strategic partnership.
Tehran is working towards closer ties with Moscow and Beijing to counter economic challenges from Washington. Iran’s plea for membership in the BRICS New Development Bank is noteworthy, as this could offer economic support during heightened U.S. sanctions.
China’s Role and Relations with India
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India, his first in seven years, is a significant step towards mending relations after a 2020 military clash at their Himalayan border. Discussions between Modi and Xi will likely focus on economic engagement and maintaining peace at the border.
Russia’s Strategic Interests
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit marks his first since the Ukraine conflict began. Energy and defense topics dominate his agenda, with recent achievements in energy trading emphasized. Russia has acknowledged India’s stance on Ukraine, aligning it notably with Moscow’s views.
Putin recently highlighted the UAE’s diplomatic role in the Ukraine discussion, bringing attention to Abu Dhabi’s significance.
Challenges Facing India
Saudi Arabia enters the spotlight as Iran-backed Houthi attacks resumed recently. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia play pivotal roles in India’s Gulf strategy. The UAE’s suspension of trades with Iran affects Indian exporters, stressing India’s economic interests.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
The success of the summit will test India’s diplomatic capabilities, balancing ties with Washington, Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, and the Gulf. Harsh V. Pant from the Observer Research Foundation noted that India’s leadership in BRICS needs to focus on practical cooperation over ideological disputes.
India’s broader foreign policy aims to maintain good relations with the U.S. while engaging with Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran. India seeks to be a dialogue leader, emphasizing resilience, cooperation, and innovation.
If consensus eludes the BRICS, limitations of the group may surface, revealing underlying regional tensions. Despite the absence of Western powers, the alliance remains critical, having mediated in the conflict through several members or partners.
Hosting BRICS is crucial for India to showcase its multi-alignment strategy amid polarizing global politics. By engaging with countries like China, Russia, and Iran while partnering with the U.S., India shows resistance to binary power dynamics.
The stakes are higher for developing nations that bear the brunt of war-driven disruptions. With India being a major oil consumer, maintaining a functional and inclusive BRICS to address Global South priorities is vital.
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