What's happened
BRICS foreign ministers are meeting in New Delhi as Iran and the UAE remain at odds over the Gulf conflict. The group, now including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran, is seeking a joint statement despite strain from regional actors and energy‑price pressures.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The gathering signals BRICS’ intent to present a unified stance on global governance, despite divergent positions among members on the Iran‑UAE split.
- Expect bilateral diplomacy to be active as India chairs 2026, with the potential for a jointly worded statement that tempers confrontation with calls for dialogue.
- The energy‑price dynamic adds economic leverage to state actors within BRICS, potentially shaping the Coalition’s bargaining power on global south interests.
- Readers should watch for how China’s diplomacy is represented, given its neutral posture toward Iran and Sunni Arab states; any shift could alter BRICS dynamics.
How we got here
BRICS has expanded from its original BRIC framework to include eight more members, broadening its focus to emerging economies and the Global South. The Delhi meeting occurs with tensions over the ongoing Gulf conflict, in which the U.S. and Israel are engaged against Iran and allied states.
Our analysis
Reuters and The New Arab report on BRICS talks in New Delhi, highlighting Iran‑UAE differences and the expected attendance of Lavrov and Araqchi. Reuters notes India’s 2026 chair role and the challenge of securing consensus amid the Gulf conflict.
Go deeper
- What is BRICS aiming to achieve with a joint statement?
- How might energy prices influence BRICS negotiations?
- Who is attending the Delhi meeting and what are the key attendance gaps?
More on these topics
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Iran - Country in the Middle East
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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BRICS - Association of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates
BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs.
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New Delhi - Capital of India
New Delhi is a district located in NCT Delhi. New Delhi serves as the capital of India and the seat of all three branches of the Government of India. The foundation stone of New Delhi was laid by Emperor George V during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. It was de
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United Arab Emirates - Country in the Middle East
The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m