The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is attracting international attention as leaders from major emerging economies gather amid geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts and concerns over energy security. The summit is being hosted by India on September 12 and 13, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the proceedings as India holds the BRICS chairmanship.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the prominent leaders attending the summit. The presence of senior leaders from Russia and Iran has drawn particular attention because both countries are major players in global energy markets and are directly affected by the current geopolitical tensions surrounding West Asia and international energy routes.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also part of the expanded BRICS grouping. Their participation adds another important dimension to the summit because the Gulf countries have major roles in global oil production, energy trade and regional diplomacy. The presence of Russia, Iran and Gulf energy powers at the same forum has therefore increased interest in whether BRICS can facilitate dialogue on energy security and wider geopolitical issues.
The current situation in West Asia has added urgency to discussions surrounding oil and energy supplies. The conflict involving Iran has disrupted oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes. The disruption has contributed to higher crude oil prices and increased concerns among countries that depend heavily on imported energy.
For India, developments in global oil markets are particularly important because the country is a major importer of crude oil. Any prolonged disruption to international energy supplies can influence fuel costs, inflation, transportation and the broader economy. The BRICS Summit therefore provides India with an important diplomatic platform to discuss energy security and regional stability while maintaining relations with multiple major powers.
The gathering also highlights the increasingly diverse nature of BRICS. The grouping has expanded beyond its original members and now includes countries with different political systems, economic interests and foreign-policy positions. This expansion has increased the bloc's global economic importance but has also made consensus more difficult.
Russia and Iran have maintained close strategic relations, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have their own security and economic relationships with Western countries. India has also followed a policy of maintaining engagement with multiple major powers. This makes the BRICS platform different from a traditional military or political alliance.
India's approach as the host is focused on strengthening practical cooperation rather than allowing the grouping to become exclusively centred on geopolitical confrontation. Discussions are expected to cover economic cooperation, trade, technology, supply chains, financial systems and development, alongside major international issues.
The summit is also taking place at a time when BRICS members are exploring ways to increase the use of local currencies in international trade and reduce dependence on existing financial systems dominated by the US dollar. However, experts have pointed out that significant differences between member economies and financial systems could make such initiatives difficult to implement quickly.
Energy cooperation could become another important area of discussion. Russia remains one of the world's major energy producers, while Iran and the Gulf countries have significant positions in global oil and gas markets. Bringing these countries together under the BRICS framework creates an opportunity for discussions on energy security, transportation routes and the impact of geopolitical instability on global markets.
At the same time, the presence of countries with opposing positions on the current West Asian conflict presents a challenge for the summit. Iran and the UAE, both members of BRICS, have experienced sharply deteriorating relations during the conflict. According to Reuters, the UAE suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran after Iranian missile attacks, making consensus on a common BRICS position particularly difficult.
This situation means that India's diplomatic role will be closely watched. New Delhi has traditionally maintained working relationships with Russia, Iran, Gulf countries, the United States and European nations. The BRICS Summit gives India an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to engage with countries that have competing interests while continuing to protect its own economic and strategic priorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to hold important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. Discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attract significant international attention. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also scheduled to meet Modi during his visit.
Beyond geopolitics, the summit is expected to consider several practical initiatives. Proposals include a BRICS Incubator Network to connect startups and innovation organisations, a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and a framework for cooperation on logistics and supply chains. These initiatives reflect India's effort to place economic and development cooperation alongside geopolitical discussions.
The participation of major oil-producing and energy-exporting countries gives the summit additional significance at a time of uncertainty in global energy markets. However, the presence of these countries does not automatically mean that BRICS will adopt a common energy policy. The members have different economic priorities and strategic relationships, and any joint initiative would require broad agreement.
The New Delhi summit is therefore being closely watched not only for its diplomatic outcomes but also for its potential impact on global economic and energy discussions. The meeting of leaders from Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other BRICS members provides a rare platform for dialogue among countries with significant influence over global oil supplies.
For India, the challenge will be to use the summit to strengthen cooperation among BRICS members while avoiding divisions over major geopolitical conflicts. The outcome could influence the group's future role in international diplomacy, economic cooperation and discussions on a more multipolar global order.