BRICS in New Delhi: Defying Global Headwinds to Forge Consensus
India is hosting the BRICS summit at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam on 12–13 September 2026, following its successful presidency of the G20 two years ago. The summit takes place against a turbulent international backdrop marked by two protracted conflicts and volatile US policy shifts under President Trump regarding trade tariffs and global security. BRICS in New Delhi: Defying Global Headwinds to Forge Consensus Navigating these headwinds, New Delhi has achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough by forging consensus on a joint declaration. Bringing regional rivals like Saudi Arabia and Iran to the same table highlights India’s unique geopolitical bridging power—underpinned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s strategic non-alignment. Guided by an "India First" doctrine, India has firmly maintained its autonomy rather than endorsing Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Nevertheless, strong bilateral ties between New Delhi and Moscow...