Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia and the ongoing war in Ukraine, New Delhi has turned into the world’s geopolitical epicenter as world leaders gather for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13. New Delhi is hosting the summit during a challenging period as India attempts to navigate its complex relationship with China, Russia, and the United States.
The summit brings together prominent anti-Western voices—including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian—marking a pivotal moment for the Global South's financial and geopolitical alignment. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a sharp critique of Western economic dominance, accusing Western nations of resorting to unfair tactics to cling to global influence.
"Unfortunately, our Western competitors are currently trying to regain their former leadership by any means possible. Today, this competition is sometimes taking on unsavory forms... manifesting at the state level," Putin said. He emphasized the shifting balance of the global economy, pointing out that BRICS member states now generate over 40% of global GDP, compared to 29% from the Group of Seven (G7) nations.
Echoing Putin’s push against Western economic leverage, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the bloc to construct a self-sustaining financial framework and accelerate the transition to national currencies for cross-border trade. He urged BRICS to eliminate dependency on Western financial tools to safeguard legitimate trade and mitigate risks posed by sanctions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to adopt a more measured tone regarding Western powers. Following high-level diplomatic engagements with U.S. President Donald Trump, Beijing appears focused on maintaining economic stability while advancing BRICS integration. During Trump’s visit to Beijing, two countries emphasized a constructive relationship of strategic stability.
India continues to chart a neutral path while taking the opportunity to advocate for peace. On the sidelines of the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level discussions with President Pezeshkian—their second meeting in under two weeks following the SCO Summit in Bishkek—reiterating India's stance on regional security, dialogue, and the protection of maritime trade corridors.
PM Modi also met with President Putin to reiterate India's call to resolve the Ukraine conflict. “Prime Minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. It added: “They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.”
As BRICS leaders refine mechanisms to bypass traditional, U.S. dollar-centric financial channels, the New Delhi summit signals a decisive push toward a multipolar global economy, even as member nations navigate differing diplomatic relations with the West.
