BRICS meetings amid West Asia war
Context
India, as the 2026 Chair of BRICS, has decided to go ahead with major diplomatic engagements despite rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. It has sent out invitations for two key events:
BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting – May 2026
18th BRICS Summit – September 9–10, 2026
India is the 2026 Chair of BRICS
Objective:
Forge consensus on West Asia conflict (currently elusive)
Key issue: Lack of consensus
Major challenge:
Divergence between members like:
Iran
United Arab Emirates
Both countries:
Rejected attempts for joint BRICS statement
BRICS composition (expanded grouping)
The composition of BRICS has evolved beyond its original five members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to include new entrants such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE.
Core members
Brazil
Russia
India
China
South Africa
New/expanded members
Egypt
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Iran
UAE
→ Total: 10-member grouping
Upcoming meetings
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Timeline: Mid-May 2026
Mode: Likely in-person
Significance:
Key political-level consultation platform
Expected participants
Vladimir Putin
Xi Jinping
Leaders of Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE
Russia’s view
Discuss international issues
Assess role of BRICS
Explore joint action opportunities
Past BRICS stance
Under Brazil chairmanship (2025):
BRICS issued strong joint statement:
Condemned US–Israel strikes on Iran
Called it:
Violation of international law
Violation of UN Charter
Raised concerns over:
Attacks on civilian infrastructure
Nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards
→ Contrast:
2025: Consensus achieved
2026: Consensus difficult
India’s diplomatic challenge
As BRICS Chair:
Balancing:
Iran
UAE
Other global stakeholders
Key difficulty:
Members directly involved in conflict
MEA statement:
“Ongoing conversation” but no consensus yet
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to BRICS, consider the following statements:
India is the Chair of BRICS for the year 2026.
BRICS currently consists of only five member countries.
BRICS has expanded to include countries such as Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct → India is BRICS Chair in 2026.
Statement 2 is incorrect → BRICS has expanded beyond original five members.
Statement 3 is correct → Iran and UAE are part of expanded BRICS.
Q. Which of the following countries are members of BRICS (expanded grouping)?
Iran
United Arab Emirates
Japan
Ethiopia
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Iran, UAE, and Ethiopia are members.
Japan is not a BRICS member.