Iran Conflict Likely to Dominate BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Delhi
By Aftab Ahmed and Saurabh Sharma
BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting: Key Issues and Participants
NEW DELHI, May 13 (Reuters) - The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is set to cast a shadow over a two-day meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping that kicks off in New Delhi on Thursday, testing the bloc's ability to reach a unified position and produce a joint statement.
BRICS Expansion and Member Dynamics
The grouping, which originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded over the years with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran's Position and Expectations
Iran had urged India, the BRICS chair for 2026, to use the BRICS platform to build a consensus condemning U.S. and Israeli actions in the Gulf conflict.
Emerging Differences Among Members
The main differences have emerged between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, which are on opposing sides of the front line in a war launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.
Key Attendees and Representation
Foreign Ministers Expected at the Meeting
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is likely to arrive late on Wednesday to attend the gathering, which will run through May 14–15. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also expected to attend the meeting.
Uncertainty Over UAE Representation
It was not immediately clear who will represent the UAE during the meeting. The latest round could be tense after reports that UAE and Saudi Arabia carried out military strikes on Iran in retaliation for Iranian strikes.
Challenges to Consensus and Possible Outcomes
Difficulty in Forging a Unified Statement
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March that some BRICS members were involved directly in the conflict, due to which it had been "difficult for us to forge a consensus."
India's Hopes for a Joint Statement
Another ministry official told Reuters India was hopeful to get a joint statement after the latest round of meetings with foreign ministers.
Perspectives from Diplomats
"Glad that the foreign ministers from all the BRICS countries, except China who is otherwise tied up, are coming. This is a good sign on efforts to build a BRICS coalition around a matter of interest to emerging economies and the global south," said former Indian diplomat Manjeev Singh Puri.
"Of course political solutions are difficult but the fact that they are meeting is positive and hopefully it will lead to a way forward."
Impact of the Conflict on BRICS Economies
Soaring energy prices caused by the war have prompted many BRICS nations, including India, to introduce emergency measures to protect their economies and consumers.
China's Stance and Representation
China's Neutral Position
So far China has taken a nominally neutral stance, given its robust ties with both Iran and Sunni-majority Arab states.
China's Representation at the Meeting
China will be represented by its Ambassador to India Xu Feihong to fill in for their Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is unlikely to travel with U.S. President Donald Trump visiting Beijing this week.
(Reporting by Aftab Ahmed and Saurabh Sharma; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
