India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit Amid West Asia Divisions

India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026, a gathering that will test its diplomatic leadership as the expanded bloc navigates deep divisions over the conflict in West Asia. The summit at Bharat Mandapam will bring together leaders from the 11 member states and partner countries, marking a significant milestone as the group completes twenty years since its establishment.

Under India's chairmanship, guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," the summit aims to strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and share perspectives on global and regional matters. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across more than 25 Indian cities this year to advance the strategic partnership across political, economic, and cultural pillars.

However, the primary diplomatic challenge lies in forging consensus among members sharply divided by regional tensions. Differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates had previously prevented BRICS foreign ministers from issuing a joint statement during their May 2026 meeting in...