Brics summit 2026 Delhi: Iran war reshapes ties but exposes divides
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to strengthen humanitarian and political connections during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf skipped the subsequent 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held on October 26-27 in New Delhi, sending a parliamentary delegation to participate instead. The high-level summit previously produced the New Delhi Declaration and facilitated bilateral meetings amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East. India and Iran continue diplomatic engagements despite the parliamentary speaker's absence from the capital.
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- β Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met to deepen political and humanitarian ties during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
- β Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf did not attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on October 26-27.
- β An Iranian parliamentary delegation attended the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi in place of Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.
What changed
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf skipped the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, sending a delegation in his place after earlier presidential-level meetings.
Live updates
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Iran-India Ties Deepen as BRICS Parliamentary Forum Opens
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to strengthen humanitarian and political connections during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf skipped the subsequent 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held on October 26-27 in New Delhi, sending a parliamentary delegation to participate instead. The high-level summit previously produced the New Delhi Declaration and facilitated bilateral meetings amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East. India and Iran continue diplomatic engagements despite the parliamentary speaker's absence from the capital.
Why it matters
The BRICS summit framework provides a critical multilateral venue for nations navigating regional conflicts and shifting global alignments. High-level diplomatic engagements in New Delhi attempt to balance geopolitical friction, particularly regarding conflict involving Iran, while addressing broader frameworks for sustainable development and multilateral reform.
What is confirmed
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met to deepen political and humanitarian ties during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf did not attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on October 26-27.
- An Iranian parliamentary delegation attended the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi in place of Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.
What to watch next
- Statements from the Iranian parliamentary delegation regarding regional policy positions at the forum.
- Subsequent bilateral trade or transit announcements between India and Iran following the summit agreements.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (3)
- mybharat.gov.in β BRICS New Delhi 2026 | MYBharat
- www.wionews.com β BRICS summit 2026: Iran, India agree to deepen ... - WION
- www.tribuneindia.com β Iranian Speaker to skip BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Delhi ...
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BRICS Adopts New Delhi Declaration Amid Ongoing Ties
The BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, addressing digital transformation, sustainable development, and multilateral reform. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and global governance. Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar noted that improved relations between India and China have increased normalcy as border tensions ease. The summit also featured bilateral engagements, including a meeting between the Iran president and the UAE crown prince amid regional tensions, while international leaders pursued separate diplomatic tracks.
Why it matters
The 2026 BRICS summit in New Delhi operated under the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. This gathering brought together member nations to advance digital public infrastructure, climate action, and equitable trade frameworks. Concurrently, broader geopolitical shifts unfolded as global leaders addressed separate diplomatic agendas involving trade and regional stability.
What is confirmed
- The BRICS summit in New Delhi was hosted under the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and inclusive growth.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted improved relations between India and China as border tensions ease.
Still unconfirmed
- Trump and Xi tentatively agreed on lowering tariffs and creating a framework for AI safety during a recent summit.
What to watch next
- Implementation of commitments outlined in the New Delhi Declaration regarding digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
- Further bilateral diplomatic developments involving trade and regional security.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- economictimes.indiatimes.com β brics summit today: Latest News & Videos, Photos about brics ...
- www.wionews.com β Did BRICS Summit 2026 prove that an 11-member bloc ... - WION
- www.impriindia.com β BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi, August 2026 - impriindia.com
- impriinsights.in β BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi, August 2026 - IMPRI Impact And ...
- www.youtube.com β BRICS Summit Live: Iran President Meets UAE Crown Prince Amid ...
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BRICS Summit Collapses Without Joint Statement Amid Iran-UAE Feud
The 18th annual BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded without a joint statement or unified communique, collapsing under severe internal divisions triggered by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran. Host nation India faced a complex diplomatic test at Bharat Mandapam as member states clashed. Tehran demanded explicit bloc condemnation of US-Israeli military operations, while Abu Dhabi pressed for accountability regarding Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and Gulf infrastructure. The bitter deadlock exposed profound fractures across the eleven-member organisation regarding Middle East security.
Why it matters
The summit unfolded against a backdrop of intensified geopolitical friction spanning Eurasia and the Middle East, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. India navigated a delicate multi-alignment posture during the mid-September gathering, balancing BRICS engagement alongside simultaneous pressure from United States tariff policies linked to Russian crude imports. Bilateral connectivity projects advanced independently of the diplomatic breakdown, such as Iran completing the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link to provide landlocked Central Asia and Afghanistan with crucial trade access.
What is confirmed
- The 18th annual BRICS summit took place in New Delhi, India, hosted at Bharat Mandapam.
- The summit concluded without a joint statement or final consensus text due to deep divisions over the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- Iran and the United Arab Emirates engaged in a bitter deadlock during ministerial meetings, with Tehran demanding condemnation of US-Israeli military operations and Abu Dhabi demanding accountability for attacks on commercial shipping and Gulf infrastructure.
- India held marathon negotiations to forge a consensus text for the New Delhi Declaration.
- Iran completed the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link to improve regional connectivity and provide landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia with access.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed Russian-Indian cooperation and global developments with Sergey Lavrov, and held talks regarding the Gulf conflict with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Still unconfirmed
- The Chabahar-Zahedan railway infrastructure is set to become operational in three to four months, and India is in talks for management rights over Chabahar Port.
What to watch next
- Resolution of India's talks with Iran regarding management rights over Chabahar Port.
- Future ministerial meetings attempting to reconcile positions between Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and other BRICS member states.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- www.thedailystar.net β Iranian president arrives in India for BRICS summit: TV ...
- www.wionews.com β Two fronts, one stage: Russia-Ukraine and West Asia crises ...
- economictimes.indiatimes.com β brics summit new delhi: Latest News & Videos, Photos about ...
- www.wionews.com β BRICS summit: India faces delicate Iran-UAE diplomatic test
- telanganatoday.com β BRICS Summit 2026 Latest News, BRICS Summit 2026 News ...
- digitallylearn.com β BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration and Outcomes
- www.wionews.com β BRICS Summit ends without joint statement as Iran war exposes ...
- instituteofgeoeconomics.org β BRICS in Indiaο½News from the Institute of Geoeconomics(IOG)
- pwonlyias.com β 18th BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration and Global South
- datasurfr.ai β BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi Declaration, Outcomes and ...
- vajiramandravi.com β Daily Editorial Analysis 10 October 2026 - Vajiram & Ravi
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BRICS Membership Expands Amid Growing Internal Divisions
Leaders from eleven member countries navigate internal divisions over shaping a revised world order as the international organization continues its expansion. Originally conceived through informal dialogue groups and coined by Goldman Sachs economists, the bloc now encompasses ten or eleven states depending on the official source tracking mechanism, including recent additions like Indonesia and Iran. Official sources also list Saudi Arabia with inconsistent membership status. The organization facilitates economic cooperation, sustainable development, and trade opportunities while working to shape global financial systems through structures like the New Development Bank and local-currency trade plans.
Why it matters
The international organization originated from concepts articulated by Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov in 1998 and early meetings between Brazil, Russia, India, and China beginning in 2006. South Africa joined in 2010, followed by a broader expansion wave admitting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates in 2024, alongside Indonesia joining in January 2025. This growth in membership and global sway brings structural disagreements among old and new member states regarding how to construct a revised world order.
What is confirmed
- BRICS currently comprises ten countries according to Wikipedia, while other sources and official portals list eleven member states.
- Indonesia formally joined the group in January 2025.
- Official BRICS sources list Saudi Arabia among member states, though its status has been described inconsistently.
- The conceptual origins of the bloc trace back to Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov in 1998.
What to watch next
- Resolution of Saudi Arabia's official membership status within the bloc
- Implementation progress on local-currency trade plans and New Development Bank initiatives
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- en.wikipedia.org β BRICS - Wikipedia
- infobrics.org β BRICS portal
- en.wikipedia.org β Member states of BRICS - Wikipedia
- www.cfr.org β What Is the BRICS Group and Why Is It Expanding?
- brics.org β BRICS Information and Trade Opportunities
- ideas-brics.org β What is BRICS? BRICS Explained β IDEAS-BRICS
- economicreader.com β What Is BRICS? Members, History, Goals and Why It Matters
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BRICS Summit Closes in New Delhi as Iran Urges Financial Shift
Leaders from eleven nations wrapped up the eighteenth BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi with a joint declaration urging maximum restraint in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his first visit to India in eight years to push the bloc toward countering unilateralism and reducing reliance on dominant global financial systems. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined other Global South leaders in delivering coordinated messages that projected unity and outlined strong economic positions.
Why it matters
The summit unfolded against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia as the United States and Iran resumed tit-for-tat strikes. Tehran leverages the BRICS platform to seek economic alternatives and rally diplomatic support amid severe geopolitical pressure. Meanwhile, the grouping attempts to balance internal divisions while asserting strategic autonomy across multiple sectors for the Global South.
What is confirmed
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi delivered coordinated messages at the New Delhi summit outlining strong positions on the global economy.
- Participating nations agreed on a common declaration at the conclusion of the summit.
Still unconfirmed
- Iran and Russia emerged as the big winners of the BRICS Summit.
What to watch next
- Outcomes from the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- Further implementation steps regarding the joint declaration's economic and financial goals.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (3)
- ddnews.gov.in β BRICS Summit: Iranian President Pezeshkian arrives in New ...
- mediaindia.eu β Iran, Russia big winners of BRICS Summit - mediaindia.eu
- iari.site β BRICS 2026: The Global South and New Forms of Multilateralism
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BRICS Summit Opens in New Delhi Amid Middle East War and Division
Leaders from eleven nations converged at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi for the eighteenth BRICS Summit, hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gathering unfolded against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia, with the US and Iran having resumed tit-for-tat strikes following a brief pause. The eleven member nations adopted a joint declaration urging maximum restraint in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the summit on his first visit to India in eight years, warning that Iran will not surrender to pressure.
Why it matters
The summit tests the expanded grouping's capacity to coordinate security and economic stability while managing stark internal contradictions. While Western governments attempt to isolate Russia and Iran, the Global South rejects this approach, aligning instead around institutional reform and strategic autonomy rather than a command structure. Financial discussions focused on local-currency trade and payment interoperability rather than creating a replacement currency to rival the dollar.
What is confirmed
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- The eleven member nations adopted a joint declaration urging maximum restraint in the Middle East.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned the US and Israel that Iran would not surrender to pressure.
- The summit addressed local-currency trade and payment interoperability to diversify away from SWIFT and sanctions leverage.
Still unconfirmed
- BRICS expansion will inevitably lead to permanent gridlock due to bilateral disputes between members.
What to watch next
- Implementation of local-currency trade and payment interoperability agreements
- Further developments in the US-Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz commerce
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (14)
- thediplomat.com β The New Delhi BRICS Summit Sends Powerful Messages to America
- thediplomat.com β BRICS Declaration: Indiaβs Great U-turn on Iran
- thediplomat.com β BRICS 2026 Reveals Ambition, Contradictions, and Uncertain Futures
- www.wionews.com β BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi hosts top leaders in New Delhi ...
- www.thesoutheastasiadesk.com β Southeast Asia BRICS Summit 2026: Geopolitics & Key Takeaways
- www.thedailystar.net β BRICS adopts joint declaration, urges 'maximum restraint' in ...
- www.wionews.com β 'Iran won't surrender': Pezeshkian sends blunt message to US ...
- www.thedailystar.net β BRICS 2026: Can the Expanded Grouping Deliver? | The Daily Star
- www.europesays.com β BRICS Rising: Reimagining Global Geopolitics And The Emerging ...
- www.thedailystar.net β BRICS Summit 2026 India Xi Putin Modi | BRICS for βmaximum ...
- thearabianpost.com β BRICS backs restraint amid Middle East escalation
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com β BRICS New Delhi Declaration β persuasion works, not pressure
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BRICS Adopts Mideast Restraint Declaration at Delhi Summit
BRICS nations issued a joint declaration urging maximum restraint in the Middle East to address the war in Iran. Indian Prime Minister Modi warned that supply chain shocks and geopolitical tensions currently threaten global stability. While the bloc faces internal divisions, some reports suggest that Trumpism has created a rare sense of unity among members. The summit serves as a test for the Global South's ability to coordinate on security and economic stability amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Why it matters
The summit occurs as the war in Iran strains ties between members, specifically the UAE and Iran. This gathering follows efforts to include Oman in diplomatic talks to secure a ceasefire. The outcome determines if the bloc can function as a cohesive geopolitical force.
What is confirmed
- BRICS adopted a joint declaration urging maximum restraint in the Middle East.
- Prime Minister Modi warned that geopolitical tensions and supply chain shocks threaten global stability.
Still unconfirmed
- The summit provides evidence that the Global South is connecting the dots on global coordination.
What to watch next
- Further diplomatic integration of Oman into the ceasefire process.
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (5)
- Reuters β BRICS adopts joint declaration, urges 'maximum restraint' in Mideast
- AP News β At BRICS, India's Modi warns geopolitical tensions and supply chain shocks threaten global stability
- Financial Times β βTrumpismβ spawns rare unity at Brics summit
- Reuters β NEWSLETTER: Advantage China in New Delhi's BRICS summit?
- WWD β BRICS Summit Provides Evidence That the Global South May Be Connecting the Dots
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Iran War Strains BRICS Ties Ahead of Delhi Summit
BRICS leaders meet in New Delhi facing significant internal divisions caused by the war in Iran. While the conflict has exposed the limits of the bloc's cohesion, the UAE and Iran have both backed a call for peace. Some analysts suggest the summit provides an opportunity to secure a ceasefire, though deep-seated rivalries between members like the UAE and Iran continue to challenge the group's collective effectiveness. Diplomacy has expanded beyond the bloc to include Oman as the crisis persists.
Why it matters
The BRICS alliance seeks to provide a geopolitical alternative to Western-led structures. The current conflict in Iran tests whether these diverse member states can align on security crises or if national rivalries override bloc solidarity.
What is confirmed
- BRICS leaders are meeting in New Delhi.
- The war in Iran has created divisions among BRICS members.
Still unconfirmed
- Diplomacy regarding the Iran crisis has extended from BRICS to Oman.
- The UAE and Iran have backed a call for peace.
What to watch next
- Official statements from the New Delhi summit regarding a ceasefire
- Formal diplomatic agreements involving Oman and BRICS members
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (6)
- BBC β Brics summit 2026 Delhi: Iran war reshapes ties but exposes divides
- Al Jazeera β The Iran war reveals the limits of BRICS
- The Jerusalem Post β Iran crisis drives new diplomacy from BRICS to Oman
- NDTV β Opinion | The Iran-UAE Rivalry, And Why Our BRICS Expectations Need To Be Realistic
- EnterpriseAM β Brics leaders facing their widest divisions yet in New Delhi this week, as UAE and Iran back peace call
- Al Jazeera β Next BRICS summit can get an Iran ceasefire
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