BRICS Delhi Meet: Iran War and Oil Prices Test Unity
Foreign ministers from BRICS met in New Delhi on May 14, 2026, as the Iran war, rising oil prices, and shipping risks shaped the agenda. India chaired the talks and pressed for safe, unimpeded maritime routes, stable trade, and stronger cooperation.
The summit showed both BRICS ambition and its limits. India wants the bloc to project stability, support developing economies, and defend open trade routes. Yet the Iran war has made that task far more difficult, especially with energy pressure and geopolitical distrust rising at the same time. The expanded grouping now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
However, the meeting also exposed deep divisions inside the expanded bloc. Iran urged BRICS members to condemn the United States and Israel, while also accusing the UAE of involvement in the conflict. That made consensus harder, because BRICS decisions depend on agreement across members with very different regional interests.
Iran Conflict and UAE Clash Expose Sharp Divisions Inside BRICS
Iran used the New Delhi meeting to press for stronger BRICS support against the United States and Israel. Abbas Araqchi urged member states to condemn the war, and he also accused the UAE of direct involvement in attacks against Iran. That accusation quickly widened tensions inside the BRICS talks. The UAE, however, kept its own regional security priorities in view. Because BRICS depends on consensus, the dispute made a unified position much harder to reach.
The clash also exposed deeper fault lines inside the growing bloc, where India and China still compete for influence across Asia and the Global South. Also, Russia’s war in Ukraine has already complicated BRICS diplomacy, and the Iran conflict has added another layer of strain. Analysts say BRICS expansion has increased its global reach, however it has also brought more competing interests under one roof. That leaves the bloc with a bigger voice, but a harder task: turning shared rhetoric into real unity.
Jaishankar Pushes Diplomacy and Safe Maritime Routes Amid Rising Tensions
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar used the BRICS summit to push diplomacy over confrontation. India has taken a soft approach on a incident where Indian-flagged ship was attacked and sunk near Oman after an Iranian drone attack. Jaishankar condemned the attack however refrained from taking Iran’s name directly. He said safe maritime routes matter for global trade, energy security, and economic recovery. The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea stayed at the center of the talks. India also raised concerns over unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures. Jaishankar argued that these steps hurt developing economies and deepen global tension. He backed dialogue, cooperation, and a peaceful approach in West Asia. India also used its BRICS 2026 presidency to promote resilience, innovation, and sustainable cooperation.
New Delhi wants BRICS to offer practical solutions for developing economies. Officials discussed energy security, trade partnerships, and technology cooperation. India also pushed stronger South-South collaboration across emerging markets. Rising energy costs and shipping risks added urgency to the meeting. Jaishankar urged the group to focus on stability and calm diplomacy. He said BRICS can still play a useful bridging role if members showed a path forward. If BRICS members protect open sea lanes and keep talking, the group can still build trust, support growth, and stay relevant in a divided world.
Web Resources on BRICS foreign ministers meet in Delhi
1. Reuters.com : Iran urges BRICS nations to condemn war, Indian-flagged vessel sunk.
2. Washington Post.com : BRICS foreign ministers meet in India as Iran war, oil prices and divisions test the bloc’s unity.
3. AP News.com : BRICS foreign ministers meet in India as Iran war, oil prices and divisions test the bloc’s unity