Archive · 12 Sep 2026
India Faces Iran Dilemma At Upcoming BRICS Summit
India is hosting an important BRICS meeting after attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
At the earlier meeting, India joined other countries in criticizing military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Iran is also a member of BRICS, while the United States and Israel are friends of India.
This creates a difficult choice for India.
If India criticizes the attacks again, the United States may be unhappy.
If India avoids the issue, other BRICS countries may be disappointed.
The article says India will need to carefully balance these relationships.
A later meeting between China and the United States could make the situation even more complicated.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit ended with members condemning US-Israeli strikes on Iran and supporting a just settlement for Palestine.
India supported the SCO declaration while also opposing the Belt and Road Initiative.
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit from September 11 to September 13, with Iran among the participating members.
The article argues that India may face pressure over whether to mention the Iran war in the BRICS joint declaration.
A September 24 Sino-American summit is expected to address trade, technology, investment, tariffs, artificial intelligence and other issues.
- Who
- India, the other BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members, the United States, Israel, Iran, China and Russia.
- What
- India is expected to navigate disagreements over the Iran war and the wording of the BRICS joint declaration.
- When
- The SCO Summit took place from August 31 to September 1; the BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 11 to September 13; the Sino-American Summit is scheduled for September 24.
- Where
- The SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, the BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi, and the Sino-American Summit will involve Beijing and Washington.
- Why
- India must balance its support for the SCO condemnation of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran with its relations with the United States and Israel.
Criticize the Iran Strikes
Protect Relations With Washington
BRICS Declaration
Criticize the Iran Strikes
India could support language condemning the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, consistent with its position at the SCO Summit.
Protect Relations With Washington
India could moderate or avoid criticism to prevent further strain with the United States and Israel.
Strategic Alignment
Criticize the Iran Strikes
India’s participation in the SCO position and its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative demonstrate an independent foreign-policy stance.
Protect Relations With Washington
India has reasons to maintain close ties with the United States and Israel, making a strongly critical position more difficult.
Diplomatic Pressure
Criticize the Iran Strikes
A joint BRICS statement addressing the Iran war could reinforce opposition to military escalation and support for multilateral diplomacy.
Protect Relations With Washington
The article argues that India may be the most vulnerable target of US pressure because Washington and Beijing are expected to handle their own relationship cautiously.
- Upcoming BRICS Summit
- India will host the 18th BRICS Summit from September 11 to September 13.
- SCO Declaration
- The SCO declaration condemned military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
- Palestine
- The SCO called for a just settlement of the Palestine question.
- BRICS Members Listed
- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sino-American Summit
- The bilateral summit is scheduled for September 24.
- Potential Dispute
- The article identifies the Iran war as a likely point of disagreement in the BRICS joint declaration.
- US-China Agenda
- The planned discussions include trade, tariffs, technology, commerce, investment, banking, market access, agricultural purchases and artificial intelligence.