By Nyantakyi Aning Kwame
India is set to host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, 2026, with the ongoing war involving Iran expected to pose a major challenge to unity within the expanding bloc of emerging economies. The summit is taking place amid sharp differences between BRICS members Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which are on opposing sides of the conflict.
The report was published by Reuters on Thursday, September 10, 2026, under the headline “India hosts BRICS summit as Iran war tests bloc unity.”
The conflict has placed particular pressure on BRICS’ ability to reach consensus on a joint declaration. Iran joined the grouping in 2024, while the United Arab Emirates is also among the bloc’s newer members. According to Reuters, the UAE suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran in August after Iranian missile attacks on the country.
The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets, with the conflict contributing to a near shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation. The disruption has pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, increasing concerns over energy security and the wider economic consequences of the conflict.
Foreign policy experts say one of the key challenges facing the summit will be finding wording on the Middle East crisis that can be accepted by both Iran and the UAE. Russia’s presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, acknowledged that differences between the two countries were having a negative impact on efforts to prepare a joint declaration, although he expressed hope that leaders would find language acceptable to all sides.
The disagreements are not entirely new. In May 2026, BRICS foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement following differences between Iran and the UAE. The development raised questions about whether the expanded BRICS grouping, which now includes countries with significantly different foreign-policy positions, can maintain the consensus traditionally required for major decisions.
Despite these divisions, there are indications that a compromise could still be reached. Earlier in September, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation managed to agree on language concerning the Iran conflict despite differing positions among its members. Analysts believe this could provide a possible model for BRICS negotiators seeking common ground.
The New Delhi summit will also bring together several influential world leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are expected to attend. The UAE is expected to be represented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to participate.
Beyond the Iran conflict, the summit is expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation and the role of BRICS in global governance. Particular attention will also be paid to possible bilateral discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The 2026 summit therefore represents an important moment for BRICS. While the bloc’s expansion has increased its global influence and representation of the Global South, divisions among its members are simultaneously testing its ability to speak with one voice on major international crises.
