New Delhi is hosting the BRICS summit on September 12-13, 2026, a critical gathering taking place amidst two significant global conflicts: the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and a recently commenced US-Israel conflict involving Iran. With BRICS members Russia and Iran directly implicated in these respective hostilities, the summit faces pressing questions about the bloc's capacity to foster peace.
Divided Views on BRICS' Influence
Experts hold differing opinions on BRICS' potential impact. Happymon Jacob, Director of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, expressed skepticism regarding the bloc's ability to sway the outcomes. "I don't think BRICS has that level of influence," Jacob told Business Today Digital, suggesting that the conflicts are primarily driven by major powers like the United States and Russia, limiting what other BRICS nations, including China, can achieve.
Jacob emphasized that BRICS is unlikely to compel Russia into negotiations with Ukraine or influence Iran to engage in talks with the United States regarding the conflict that began on February 28, 2026.
Economic Imperatives for Peace
In contrast, former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria highlighted the profound economic stake BRICS countries have in global stability. Speaking at an India Today BRICS Roundtable, Bisaria noted that the ongoing conflicts are severely disrupting the global economy through trade interruptions and the "weaponisation" of economics via sanctions, which many BRICS nations are experiencing.
Bisaria pointed to tangible impacts, such as Brent crude surpassing $100 per barrel and the Indian rupee falling below 9 to the dollar, underscoring how these geopolitical events directly affect the daily lives and economies of member states. India, positioning itself as a key voice for the Global South, has extended special invitations to groups like BIMSTEC, ASEAN, and the African Union to the summit, broadening representation from developing countries.
BRICS' Collective Voice for Resolution
Despite the involvement of some of its members in the conflicts, Bisaria argued that BRICS should leverage its collective voice to advocate for an end to both wars. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has consistently reiterated India's stance, stating, "this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield," during a visit to Ukraine. India has also affirmed its readiness to assist in any peace efforts.
The sentiment among many is that the BRICS message must be resolute, emphasizing that conflicts and their resulting sanctions inflict significant damage on the global economy, necessitating urgent resolution.