Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS Summit Tests India’s Balancing Act and Global Influence
BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi for an important summit.
The group includes countries such as India, China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa, along with newer members.
Leaders will discuss trade, technology, energy, food security and global politics.
Some newspapers say BRICS could give developing countries a stronger voice in the world.
Other reports say disagreements among members may make joint action difficult.
Wars involving Ukraine and West Asia are adding to those disagreements.
India is trying to work with both China and Russia while also maintaining partnerships with Western countries.
The meeting will include talks between Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
India is also reportedly suggesting that BRICS countries connect their digital currencies to make cross-border payments easier.
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on September 12, 2026.
Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders attending.
Foreign media differ on whether BRICS can challenge Western influence or overcome internal divisions.
Wars in Ukraine and West Asia, including tensions involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates, are testing the bloc’s unity.
India is reportedly promoting links between central bank digital currencies for cross-border BRICS payments.
- Who
- BRICS leaders, including Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Masoud Pezeshkian, are attending.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit is bringing members together to discuss global governance, trade, technology, energy, food security and international conflicts.
- When
- The summit is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2026; related coverage was published on September 12.
- Where
- The summit is being held in New Delhi, India, with Bharat Mandapam identified as the official venue.
- Why
- The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation among BRICS members while addressing global tensions and the bloc’s expanding role in international affairs.
BRICS as a Growing Global Counterweight
BRICS as a Divided and Difficult Bloc
Ability to challenge Western influence
BRICS as a Growing Global Counterweight
Al Jazeera’s framing highlights BRICS’ ambition to reshape the international system and potentially challenge a Western-dominated order.
BRICS as a Divided and Difficult Bloc
Coverage cited from the BBC and other outlets suggests the group may avoid direct criticism of Washington because its members have sharply different interests.
Expansion and influence
BRICS as a Growing Global Counterweight
Global Times presents a larger, more united BRICS as a platform that can give the Global South a stronger voice in global governance.
BRICS as a Divided and Difficult Bloc
The South China Morning Post and Washington Post emphasize that expansion may make consensus and concrete cooperation more difficult.
India’s diplomatic role
BRICS as a Growing Global Counterweight
India is portrayed as using the summit to bring together countries with competing interests and to maintain relationships with Russia, China and Western countries.
BRICS as a Divided and Difficult Bloc
Reports describe India’s position as a balancing act, particularly because disagreements involving China, Russia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates could complicate a joint declaration.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host city
- New Delhi, India
- Venue
- Bharat Mandapam
- Major attendees
- Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Masoud Pezeshkian
- Key tensions
- Wars in Ukraine and West Asia, plus United States-China tensions
- India’s reported proposal
- Linking central bank digital currencies across BRICS for cross-border payments
- Core challenge
- Reaching consensus among an expanded group with differing interests