Archive · 15 Sep 2026
BRICS Gains Importance While Struggling to Define Its Purpose
BRICS is a group of countries that do not always agree with one another.
India and China compete, while other members have different positions on wars and regional conflicts.
Even so, the countries met in New Delhi and agreed on a joint statement.
The statement used general language so that members with different views could support it.
It criticised sanctions and higher tariffs but did not name specific countries.
It also left out a direct mention of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Some people see this as a sign of weakness, while others see it as a way to keep disagreements from becoming worse.
BRICS may be most useful when it helps rival countries keep talking rather than trying to act like one united bloc.
The New Delhi summit produced a joint declaration despite sharp differences among BRICS members.
Members include strategic rivals and countries with conflicting positions on global conflicts and international affairs.
The declaration criticised unilateral sanctions and rising tariffs but avoided directly naming countries responsible for disputed policies.
It did not specifically mention Russia’s war in Ukraine, unlike some earlier BRICS declarations.
India favors expanding developing countries’ influence without turning BRICS into an anti-Western alliance.
- Who
- BRICS member countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
- What
- Members held a summit and issued a joint declaration despite disagreements over international issues and BRICS’s future role.
- When
- At the New Delhi summit; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Members seek greater influence for developing countries and a forum for dialogue, while India wants to avoid replacing one rigid global bloc with another.
BRICS as a Diplomatic Forum
BRICS as a Power Bloc
Meaning of the declaration’s compromises
BRICS as a Diplomatic Forum
Avoiding specific disputes can preserve unity, keep rivals talking and prevent disagreements from escalating.
BRICS as a Power Bloc
The broad language and omission of Russia’s war in Ukraine can be interpreted as evidence of weakness and an inability to reach meaningful consensus.
BRICS’s global purpose
BRICS as a Diplomatic Forum
BRICS can give developing countries more room in global decision-making without becoming an anti-Western alliance.
BRICS as a Power Bloc
BRICS is not a coherent alternative power bloc because its members do not share a clear agreement on what should replace the existing world order.
Source of influence
BRICS as a Diplomatic Forum
The group’s value may come from maintaining dialogue and practical cooperation among countries that cannot agree on larger issues.
BRICS as a Power Bloc
Becoming a powerful rule-maker requires sustained agreement, institutional mechanisms and a willingness to accept compromises that BRICS may lack.
- Summit location
- New Delhi, India
- Main development
- BRICS members produced a joint declaration despite divergent interests.
- Declaration themes
- The declaration criticised unilateral sanctions and rising tariffs.
- Ukraine war
- The declaration did not specifically mention Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Internal relations
- India and China remain strategic competitors despite a recent improvement in ties.
- India’s position
- India does not want BRICS to become an anti-Western alliance.
- Potential role
- BRICS could provide channels for rivals to maintain contact and negotiate practical arrangements.