BRICS meets in India: What’s on the agenda, why it matters

What the report says

BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi, India, for the bloc’s 18th annual summit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and scheduled for September 12-13, according to Al Jazeera. The gathering brings together more than a dozen world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside representatives from newer members and several invited international officials. Indian authorities reportedly deployed additional security and closed roads around the hotels where delegations are staying.

Al Jazeera says the summit is taking place against a turbulent global backdrop, including the US-Israel war on Iran, Russia’s war on Ukraine and wider economic strain. BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China and later expanded to include South Africa and other countries, is increasingly presented by its members as a counterweight to Western-led economic institutions. The bloc now includes 11 members and represents a large share of the world’s population and output.

The main agenda items include trade, energy cooperation, artificial intelligence, and ways to strengthen supply chains and economic resilience. Reporting cited by Al Jazeera indicates that members may also discuss cross-border payments and, for Russia, digital-currency settlement options amid sanctions. Analysts quoted by the outlet said such talks reflect an effort to reduce exposure to conflict-related disruptions, though not to replace the US dollar.

The article also notes internal tensions within BRICS, including differing positions on Iran, the war in Ukraine, and disputes involving some member states. That makes reaching common positions difficult, but the summit remains significant as a venue where a diverse group of governments tries to coordinate on economics, security and geopolitical influence.