Archive · 10 Sep 2026
BRICS Sherpas Seek Consensus as West Asia War Deepens
BRICS countries are preparing for a big leaders’ meeting in New Delhi.
They want to agree on a joint statement about important world problems.
However, Iran and the UAE disagree about how to describe the war in West Asia.
India is trying to help the two countries find wording they can both accept.
A previous BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting ended without a joint statement because of these differences.
The summit will also discuss food, energy, climate change, technology and economic cooperation.
Leaders will take part in meetings, an exhibition, a tree-planting ceremony and a dinner.
India hopes the meeting will support cooperation among developing countries and stronger global institutions.
BRICS negotiators are working to finalize a consensus declaration for the New Delhi summit on September 12-13.
Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to attend, complicating negotiations over language on the West Asia war.
Indian officials are holding separate discussions with Iran and the UAE to bridge their differences.
The summit will address issues including food, energy and climate security, global governance, innovation and sustainable growth.
The expanded BRICS now has 11 members and represents about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
- Who
- BRICS Sherpas, Indian officials and leaders from the 11 member countries, including India, Russia, China, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- What
- They are negotiating a consensus joint declaration for the BRICS leaders’ summit while trying to resolve disagreements over the West Asia war.
- When
- The leaders’ summit is scheduled for September 12-13; the article says the war began on February 28 and that negotiations are continuing before the summit.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, with disagreements involving Iran and the UAE and the broader Gulf region.
- Why
- India wants the summit to produce a common declaration covering the West Asia crisis and broader priorities such as food, energy, climate and global governance.
Iran and consensus-focused members
UAE and members emphasizing national positions
Language on the West Asia war
Iran and consensus-focused members
Iran and countries seeking a unified BRICS position are involved in negotiations over wording that can support a consensus declaration.
UAE and members emphasizing national positions
The UAE has differing views from Iran over the West Asia situation, making it reluctant to accept language that does not reflect its national position.
Diplomatic approach
Iran and consensus-focused members
Indian, Russian, Brazilian and Egyptian officials are trying to bring Iran and the UAE into agreement through separate meetings and direct talks.
UAE and members emphasizing national positions
Iran and the UAE have remained at loggerheads, and an earlier BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting produced no joint statement because their differences could not be bridged.
- Summit dates
- September 12-13
- Host city
- New Delhi, India
- Main dispute
- The wording of the joint declaration on the West Asia war
- BRICS membership
- The grouping has 11 member countries after its 2024 and 2025 expansions.
- Expected attendance
- Russia’s Vladimir Putin is confirmed; officials are preparing for participation by leaders including Xi Jinping, Masoud Pezeshkian, Cyril Ramaphosa and Prabowo Subianto.
- Brazilian representation
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will not attend and will send a senior government representative.
- Global scale
- BRICS represents approximately 49.5% of the global population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
- India’s chairship theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability