Foreign ministers from major emerging economies gathered in New Delhi on Thursday for the high-level BRICS meeting as tensions in West Asia, the ongoing Iran war and divisions within the bloc threatened to overshadow discussions on trade, diplomacy and global cooperation.
The two-day summit comes at a critical geopolitical moment, coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s state visit to China and rising uncertainty over energy security, maritime trade routes and regional stability.
India, which is hosting this year’s BRICS meetings, now finds itself balancing complex diplomatic relationships involving Iran, the UAE, Israel and the United States while trying to maintain unity within the growing bloc.
What is BRICS and Why Does It Matter?
BRICS is a coalition of emerging economies that aims to strengthen cooperation among Global South nations and increase their influence in international politics and economic policymaking.
The group originally included:
- Brazil
- Russia
- India
- China
South Africa later joined in 2010, turning BRIC into BRICS.
In recent years, the bloc expanded further after countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined the organisation. Indonesia officially became a member in January 2025.
The alliance has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative voice to Western-led global institutions on issues related to trade, development, security and diplomacy.
When and Where does the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Begin?
The BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting started on May 14 in New Delhi and will continue through May 15 ahead of the larger BRICS Summit scheduled for September.
Most of the meetings are taking place at Bharat Mandapam, the convention centre near the Supreme Court of India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to interact with the visiting leaders during the event.
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar opened the meeting by stressing the importance of global maritime security.
He called for “safe, unimpeded maritime flows”
The statement comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains under blockade, raising concerns over global oil and gas supply disruptions.
Iran War Emerges as the Biggest Issue at BRICS Talks
Although the official theme of the summit focuses on resilience, innovation, healthcare cooperation and sustainability, the ongoing Iran conflict is expected to dominate private and public discussions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged BRICS countries to strongly condemn the United States and Israel over military actions against Tehran.
The war has now entered its 76th day, creating deep divisions within the BRICS bloc itself. India faces a diplomatic challenge because it maintains strategic relations with:
- Iran
- UAE
- Israel
- United States
These competing relationships have complicated consensus-building inside BRICS on Middle East issues.
Which Leaders Are Attending the BRICS Meeting?
Several senior diplomats and foreign ministers have arrived in New Delhi for the summit.
Attendees include:
- Sergey Lavrov
- Ronald Lamola
- Mauro Vieira
- Abbas Araghchi
- Sugiono
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is not attending due to Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. China is instead being represented by Ambassador Xu Feihong.
India Faces Diplomatic Pressure Over Iran and Gaza
The BRICS bloc has struggled to present a united position on the Iran conflict and the Gaza war.
At an earlier BRICS deputy foreign ministers’ meeting in April, member states reportedly failed to issue a joint statement after disagreements emerged between Iran and the UAE over language related to the Iran conflict.
Differences also surfaced over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Observers believe India is trying to avoid openly taking sides while preserving relations with all major regional powers.
Michael Dunford, emeritus professor at the University of Sussex, said, “The meeting in India occurs at a difficult time in which the cohesion of the BRICS confronts challenges due to the closer relations of India with the US and Israel, and the conflict in West Asia between Iran and the UAE.”
Why is the BRICS Meeting Important Globally?
The New Delhi summit comes at a time when BRICS is trying to strengthen its global influence amid changing geopolitical alliances and rising tensions between major powers.
The meeting is expected to shape the agenda for the September BRICS Summit and could influence future discussions on:
- Energy security
- Global trade
- Middle East diplomacy
- Healthcare cooperation
- Economic partnerships
- Global South coordination
With wars, sanctions, maritime disruptions and diplomatic rivalries intensifying globally, the BRICS meeting has become one of the most closely watched international gatherings this year.
