Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Potential Trump-Xi-Putin Summit Raises Questions About BRICS and India
BRICS is a group of countries that wants to cooperate and reduce dependence on the United States.
Its leaders are meeting in Delhi to discuss subjects such as farming, health and digital technology.
China, Russia and Iran will be especially important at the meeting.
However, BRICS members do not always agree on major international issues.
Iran and the United Arab Emirates have different views about the war and shipping security.
At the same time, the leaders of the United States, China and Russia may try to improve their relationships.
They might even meet together later this year.
India worries that such a meeting could create a powerful group that leaves India outside it.
BRICS leaders meeting in Delhi are expected to expand cooperation in agriculture, health and digitalisation.
China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian are among the key attendees.
Iran and the United Arab Emirates have sharply differing positions on the war and regional security.
The United States, China and Russia are separately exploring possible diplomatic and economic accommodations.
A possible Trump-Xi-Putin meeting at the November APEC summit could heighten India’s concerns about exclusion.
- Who
- BRICS leaders, including Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian; the United States, China and Russia are also central to the potential diplomatic realignment.
- What
- BRICS is holding a summit while a possible Trump-Xi-Putin trilateral meeting raises questions about the group’s future influence and India’s position.
- When
- The BRICS summit is taking place this week; the possible trilateral meeting could occur at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.
- Where
- The BRICS summit is in Delhi, India; the possible trilateral meeting is being discussed for Shenzhen, China.
- Why
- Russia and China are seeking greater diplomatic options and potentially better relationships with Washington, while India seeks to protect its influence in a changing global order.
BRICS Multipolarity
Trilateral Accommodation
Purpose of BRICS
BRICS Multipolarity
BRICS can broaden cooperation among emerging powers and help counter American domination of the world.
Trilateral Accommodation
Russia and China may use BRICS to expand diplomatic options while still negotiating directly with the United States.
Potential G3 Arrangement
BRICS Multipolarity
A broader multipolar order should give India and other middle powers meaningful influence.
Trilateral Accommodation
A Trump-Xi-Putin summit could develop into a three-cornered leadership structure that excludes India from major decisions.
Iran and United Arab Emirates
BRICS Multipolarity
Iran wants BRICS to condemn American and Israeli military action.
Trilateral Accommodation
The United Arab Emirates emphasizes sovereignty, civilian infrastructure and freedom of navigation after Iranian attacks and disruption to commerce.
- Summit location
- Delhi, India
- Key attendees
- Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian
- Main cooperation areas
- Agriculture, health and digitalisation
- BRICS division
- Iran and the United Arab Emirates disagree over the war, sovereignty, civilian infrastructure and freedom of navigation.
- Potential trilateral meeting
- Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin may meet at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.
- India’s concern
- A possible three-way global leadership arrangement could leave India outside the main decision-making table.