The recent Brics summit in New Delhi underscored both the cohesion and the deep fault lines within the international coalition, as the ongoing war in Iran reshaped diplomatic alignments. Leaders gathered to discuss a new global order, yet the event revealed sharp disagreements over the bloc’s purpose and key geopolitical conflicts.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the proceedings by urging member nations to act as “rule-shapers” rather than “rule-takers.” The summit hosted a notable roster of global figures, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The gathering was significant given the historical tensions among participants. India and China have previously faced deadly border clashes, while Iran and the UAE have been positioned on opposing sides of the Middle Eastern conflict, with Tehran launching attacks on its fellow Brics member.
Despite these hostilities, the summit produced the “New Delhi Declaration.” However, the document was characterized by what it omitted as much as what it included. On the Middle East conflict, the declaration called for “maximum restraint” and condemned attacks on civilian and nuclear infrastructure but refrained from assigning blame. It supported a two-state solution without deviating from established UN resolutions.
In a stark departure from previous statements, the declaration made no mention of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Similarly, while it criticized rising tariffs and unilateral sanctions, it avoided naming the United States directly, a strategic move likely influenced by the desire to avoid further antagonizing President Donald Trump.
Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that India’s influence was evident in the careful wording. He remarked that the explicit reference to tariffs was surprising, suggesting India used the platform to signal displeasure, while the omission of specific country names bore the hallmark of New Delhi’s diplomatic approach.
For several members, including China, Russia, and Iran, Brics serves as a mechanism to counter Western influence. However, India has consistently resisted framing the group as an anti-Western alliance. Modi stated clearly that the bloc is “not against anyone,” a sentiment echoed by former Indian ambassador Anil Trigunayat, who described India’s goal as maintaining “strategic autonomy” amid global turmoil.
Beyond the formal declarations, the summit facilitated critical bilateral meetings. Iranian President Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince held talks, marking the highest-level face-to-face engagement between the two nations since the outbreak of war. This provided Tehran an opportunity to demonstrate economic resilience and deeper ties with members like Malaysia, India, and Ethiopia amid US sanctions and naval blockades.
The meeting between Modi and Xi represented another diplomatic milestone. It was Xi’s first visit to Delhi in seven years, following years of mistrust after the 2020 border dispute. Although the leaders exchanged a formal handshake rather than Modi’s customary embrace, and Xi departed within 24 hours skipping the gala dinner, the two agreed to strengthen business, transport, and trade links.
While the summit succeeded in creating space for rivals to engage outside Western-dominated institutions, the path forward remains uncertain. Members agree on the need for a revised global order, but significant challenges persist in defining exactly what that system should look like and how to achieve it.
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