BRICS leaders meet in India amid wars and U.S. tensions

Leaders of the 11-nation BRICS bloc gathered in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, to discuss economic cooperation, energy security, and reform of global institutions. The summit brings together Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and representatives from eight other member states, a coalition that, according to NPR, represents approximately half the world's population and a significant share of global economic output. BRICS was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, per NPR. The bloc has since expanded to 11 members. The summit occurs amid wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with rising U.S.-China tensions, testing whether BRICS can maintain unity on contested issues. , and fears are growing that the conflict may expand amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the summit venue and other parts of New Delhi, with traffic restrictions and diversions in place, per NPR. Reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar will be a priority. Members are expected to promote greater use of their own currencies in trade and payments and to push for alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told reporters on Friday, per NPR, that "one of the most important steps is to expand the use of national currencies in trade among the members." Putin, in a speech at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday, stated, according to NPR, that the grouping was not against anyone and Moscow was open to cooperation with countries around the world, emphasizing "we are in favor of our interests." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday, per NPR, that Xi was expected to discuss major international issues and ways to deepen cooperation among BRICS members. Modi met Putin and Pezeshkian separately in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the summit. Modi and Xi are expected to hold talks later Saturday, per NPR, a meeting that could help consolidate a diplomatic thaw between the two countries after border tensions escalated in 2020. Modi called for an overhaul of global governance, saying that Global South countries are impacted by decisions they are unable to shape, and urged leaders to replace the "pyramid of privilege" with a more equal system, per Al Jazeera reporting. The leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation, energy, food security, technology, supply chains and reforms to global institutions, per NPR. India faces a significant balancing act. According to NPR, Modi must maintain close ties with Russia and Iran despite the war in Ukraine and Iran-U.S. tensions, while simultaneously deepening relations with the U.S. and Europe. In May 2026, BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement over the Iran war, forcing India to issue a chair's summary instead, per NPR. That impasse signals the difficulty the bloc faces in reaching consensus even on major geopolitical issues.