Against a backdrop of escalating Middle East conflict and friction with Washington, leaders from 28 countries gathered in New Delhi for the annual BRICS summit. Although the United States was absent from the two-day meeting, its economic policies and foreign policy footprint heavily influenced deliberations among member states seeking diplomatic autonomy and strategic leverage.
The summit provided a rare forum for direct negotiation between regional rivals, highlighted by a bilateral meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates. Following their exchange, BRICS delegates issued a joint statement calling for maximum restraint in the Middle East—a consensus that foreign policy experts attribute in part to shared anxiety over global disruptions stemming from U.S. trade tariffs and military conflict.
The gathering also marked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to India since a deadly 2020 border clash that claimed the lives of more than 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. While Beijing framed the bilateral talks around economic development, New Delhi maintained that resolving the border dispute remains paramount. Analysts note that recent 50% tariffs imposed by Washington—though subsequently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court—have encouraged India to balance its diplomatic options while remaining wary of Beijing's motives.
While BRICS has expanded to 11 members representing half the world's population, experts note the bloc has fallen short of major objectives, such as creating viable alternatives to trading in the U.S. dollar. Nevertheless, with China set to host next year's summit, Beijing appears intent on leveraging Washington's missteps to expand its leadership across the Global South.