Putin lands in India for BRICs summit, shadowed by Iran and Ukraine wars

In New Delhi this weekend, leaders from the BRICS nations will convene to discuss how the bloc can maintain its unity amidst ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions. The gathering comes as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with U.S.-China tensions, strain the group's capacity to act as a cohesive entity.

First annual payment of $205.00 + GST for one year, with a renewal fee of $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks, is offered to new and returning subscribers. However, the BRICS grouping, comprised of major emerging markets, faces considerable challenges in presenting a united front due to its diverse member states and their competing interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are expected to attend the summit. BRICS, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown to include 11 countries, representing nearly half of the world's population and a significant share of its energy, resources, and economic output.

The conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are likely to expose the divisions within BRICS, as its members possess divergent political, economic, and foreign policy objectives. Iran and Russia, both members of the bloc, have close ties with each other, while China maintains relationships with both Iran and Russia, as well as with India, which has strategic ties with Russia and Iran while also engaging with the United States and Europe.

The varying regional ambitions of BRICS members, including India and China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and Ethiopia, make it difficult for the grouping to take a united stance on major conflicts. Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, notes that the Global South is not a homogeneous entity and that the BRICS grouping may struggle to manage and mediate these conflicts.

India, acting as the host nation, aims to balance its relationships with China and Russia while also strengthening its ties with the United States and other Western powers. The country has maintained close ties with Moscow through energy and defense pacts, yet it has also deepened its strategic relationship with Washington. New Delhi has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy, refraining from taking sides in conflicts.

The summit provides India with an opportunity to manage its relationship with China, as ties have improved since border tensions escalated in 2020. However, China remains India's largest strategic rival, and the upcoming visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping, his first in seven years, could further consolidate the diplomatic thaw. Despite this, India and China continue to face challenges in recovering trade and business ties.

India also seeks to prevent the BRICS from becoming an explicitly anti-Western bloc, as it has strengthened its ties with the United States, Israel, Japan, Australia, and Europe while maintaining its longstanding relationship with Russia. By balancing its strategic autonomy with engagement with China, its primary rival, India aims to project its interests without alienating its allies.