Why Emerging Powers Keep Joining BRICS, Even When They Disagree

What the report says

Leaders from several emerging economies are gathering in New Delhi this weekend for a BRICS meeting, as the group tries to project influence at a time of global conflict and high energy prices. According to the New York Times, the summit comes amid questions about how much unity the bloc can maintain when its members do not always agree on major international issues.

BRICS, which began as a forum for major developing economies, has continued to attract new interest from countries seeking greater sway in global affairs. The article suggests that membership remains appealing even for governments with different political priorities because the group offers a platform to coordinate on trade, diplomacy and broader concerns about the international order.

At the same time, the New York Times notes that persistent disagreements among members and outside pressures are testing the bloc’s cohesion. The meeting in India highlights a familiar tension: BRICS wants to present itself as an alternative voice for emerging powers, but its ability to act collectively is limited when members face competing interests and regional disputes.

More broadly, the summit reflects how many developing countries are looking for ways to balance relations with major powers while navigating inflation, energy disruptions and war-related instability. That context helps explain why BRICS continues to expand in appeal, even as its internal divisions remain visible.