BRICS seeks bigger role in global economy

The BRICS alliance of emerging economies recently met in New Delhi to assert a more prominent role in global affairs, amid growing tensions in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the use of UN-sanctioned sanctions and called for protection of nuclear safety and security during armed conflicts, indirectly criticizing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The group also criticized unilateral sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council, targeting countries but not explicitly naming them. BRICS, founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, has since expanded to 11 members representing roughly half the world's population and a significant portion of global economic output.

The group has increasingly sought greater representation for developing nations in global institutions and promoted alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions. India is hosting this year's summit, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pezeshkian, and other BRICS leaders. While India seeks to balance its strategic ties with Russia and Iran with expanding economic, defense, and technology ties with the U.S. and Europe, the summit highlights the bloc's efforts to maintain strategic ties while deepening relations with Western nations.

The group's leaders emphasized that BRICS is not against anyone and aims to evolve into a "rule-shaper" in global governance, calling for the expansion of UN Security Council representation to improve its effectiveness.