3 Russian planes land at Noida International Airport for first time ahead of BRICS Summit | Watch

India will host the BRICS Leaders' Summit on September 12-13, aiming to elevate the bloc's global standing amidst the U.S.-led conflict with Iran. The summit follows the 2024 U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, causing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and driving oil prices above $100 per barrel. UAE, Iran's ally, halted trade and financial ties with Iran in August following missile strikes.

The key challenge for BRICS will be crafting a joint declaration acceptable to both Abu Dhabi and Tehran, demonstrating the bloc's unity against sanctions, even though such a statement is unlikely to sway the current geopolitical situation. Chinese President Xi Jinping, attending his first visit to India in seven years, underscores the significance of China's role in BRICS, positioning China alongside India at the center of efforts to maintain the bloc's cohesion.

Other leaders expected to attend include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, along with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UAE is likely to be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Iran urges BRICS members to contest what it perceives as violations of international law, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov admitting the UAE-Iran differences negatively impact joint declaration drafting but expressing hope for consensus. BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, reflecting its aspiration to represent the Global South.

Saudi Arabia's participation remains uncertain as it has not attained full membership but engages with lower-level delegations. Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud will attend the summit in Delhi. The bloc's expansion, while boosting its appeal, may make it less effective due to differing views of its newer members, a concern expressed by Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Despite initial failure to issue a joint statement in May due to Iran-UAE disagreements, optimism exists following the successful joint declaration at the SCO summit, where differing positions were reconciled. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi, Putin, and Pezeshkian are among those signing the statement, condemning the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Western sanctions.

Former Indian diplomat Rajiv Bhatia sees potential for BRICS to bridge the divide, similar to the SCO's experience, despite the SCO's members being pro-U.S. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist policies and unilateral tariffs have spurred BRICS nations to unite, potentially leading to bilateral or multilateral meetings between their leaders.

Discussions may also include Xi's upcoming U.S. trip and the likelihood of Modi-Xi and Modi-Putin bilateral talks, focusing on stabilizing ties and enhancing economic cooperation.