BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi amid geopolitical tensions

The 11-member BRICS summit convened in New Delhi, India, on September 12, 2026, amid significant global geopolitical instability. High-level attendees included Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking Xi's first visit to India since 2019. The meetings focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which escalated following US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, as well as trade and energy cooperation.

In a unanimous declaration, the BRICS leaders called for maximum restraint regarding the Middle East crisis to avoid further escalation. President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of opposing sovereignty violations and protectionism, while Iranian President Pezeshkian argued that the bloc must resist unilateralism in response to mounting international pressure. The event also served as a stage for delicate diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between India and China following border conflicts in the Himalayas.

While Russia and China maintain trade ties with Iran despite sanctions threats, the broader regional landscape remains volatile, underscored by the United Arab Emirates suspending financial transactions with Tehran in August after missile attacks. The summit concluded with a unified call for respect toward United Nations authority, though deep-seated regional divisions persist.