BRICS 2026::Russia Seeks Consensus at New Delhi Summit
Russia has expressed optimism over achieving consensus among BRICS member countries at the upcoming New Delhi Summit, despite differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the evolving West Asia situation. The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, with India hosting the expanded grouping.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow believes that member states can find acceptable and balanced language for the Delhi Declaration. The differences between Iran and the UAE have emerged as an important diplomatic challenge during negotiations on the proposed joint document. Russia has indicated its willingness to support efforts aimed at bridging these positions and maintaining unity within the grouping.
The issue highlights the broader challenge of building common positions within an increasingly diverse BRICS framework. The grouping has expanded its membership, bringing together countries with different strategic priorities and approaches to regional conflicts. Recent BRICS-level discussions have demonstrated the difficulty of reaching a unified position on sensitive geopolitical issues, particularly the West Asia conflict.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity to strengthen multilateral cooperation, strategic autonomy and Global South representation. New Delhi is expected to emphasise practical cooperation in areas such as economic development, digital transformation, resilient supply chains, financial cooperation and institutional reforms. The summit is also expected to focus on the three broad pillars of politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Russia’s expectation of a consensus reflects the importance of maintaining institutional cohesion and constructive dialogue within BRICS. A balanced Delhi Declaration could reinforce the grouping’s role as a platform for emerging economies while demonstrating that differences can be managed through diplomacy, consultation and consensus-building.
The New Delhi Summit will therefore be closely watched for its ability to produce action-oriented outcomes, strengthen cooperation among member states and advance a more inclusive and representative approach to global governance.
