The 18th BRICS Summit, held on 12–13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, brought together global leaders and representatives of multilateral organisations, providing an important platform for deliberations on a broad spectrum of bilateral, regional, and global issues. As a group consisting of emerging and developing economies that seeks greater cooperation among countries of the Global South, BRICS has always provided a crucial platform to engage with world leaders to discuss a wide range of global issues, including climate change, terrorism, food and energy security and international economic and financial crises, employment, trade, etc. Initially, the group consisted of four countries – Brazil, Russia, India, and China – making ‘BRIC’ a popular acronym coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe these emerging economies. With South Africa’s inclusion in 2011, the acronym became ‘BRICS,’ and the membership expanded from four to five, giving it stronger representation of Africa and the broader Global South. At the 15th Summit in 2023, the membership further expanded with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE becoming full members from 2024. Recently, Indonesia became the 11th member in January 2025.

As one of the founding members of the group, India has always shown its unwavering support for the core objectives and agenda of the BRICS. Over the years, its role has evolved from simple diplomacy to more strategic balancing that aligns with India’s broader vision of a multipolar world order. It has advocated for major reforms and greater representation of the Global South in global governance institutions such as the IMF, the World Bank, and the UN Security Council. India also contributed to the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2015, which provides an alternative source of funding for the BRICS nations. Moreover, India has never been silent on important issues and has voiced its opinions on practices which seem unfair in its opinion such as the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, economic concentration, and unilateral sanctions. At the same time, it has been steadfast in its commitment to safeguard its strategic autonomy and interests by counterbalancing the growing influence of China in the Global South while fostering stronger economic and cultural alliances with other members. Similarly, India’s diplomatic stance during the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated its ability to pursue independent foreign policy without necessarily undermining its relations with Western powers, particularly the United States.

In the 18th summit, India’s chairship was focused on the theme – “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” In particular, the principle of resilience directly aims to navigate global uncertainties and supply chain disruptions. In the context of the US-Iran conflict, the principle can inform discussions on resolving the ongoing global oil crisis. Considering India’s energy security and dependence on crude oil imports, the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz creates direct vulnerability. The US-Iran conflict has already driven up oil prices, with Brent crude expected to remain above $85 per barrel in 2026 due to disruptions to shipping routes and ongoing Middle Eastern supply risks. Since India’s agenda explicitly addresses supply chain resilience, it can utilise BRICS to promote diversification of energy supplies, energy cooperation and more resilient supply chains.

India-Iran bilateral trade has fallen dramatically since the reimposition of US sanctions. Recent reports show a drastic 90 percent decline in bilateral trade from $17 billion in 2018-19 to $1.63 billion in 2025-26 as US sanctions impacted India’s imports of Iranian crude. Therefore, the discussion on local-currency trade and reducing dependence on the Western financial system, with Global South partners at the Summit, is relevant to India. At the same time, it is important to understand that India’s dependence on Iran should not be interpreted as Anti-West. India is not seeking de-dollarisation or an anti-US economic bloc. Instead, its approach is based on ‘strategic autonomy’ rather than ‘anti-Americanism,’ as India also has strategic and economic interests in the US.

In the discussion of the US-Iran conflict, India has to balance a triangular relationship with Iran, the US, and BRICS partners at the Summit. In this relationship, it cannot simply side with Iran because of its strategic interests with the US. Similarly, India cannot afford to let the conflict destabilise its energy supplies, shipping routes, regional security, and diaspora interests. In this context, BRICS provides India a crucial diplomatic space to advocate for a ceasefire, freedom of navigation, protection of energy infrastructure, stability of oil markets, and diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

On the different occasions Tehran has urged the BRICS nations to condemn US aggression, there is significant division among the BRICS members, as the Gulf nations, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have witnessed security concerns and friction with Iran during the conflict, while Russia and China have been longstanding allies of Tehran. Taking such dynamics into consideration, it is difficult to reach a consensus, and the Summit might not result in a concrete solution to end the conflict.

New Delhi has to manage all the fault lines in this meeting, especially in light of the current scenario. As the host country, India utilises this opportunity to address issues that affect not only India but the Global South collectively, particularly energy security. At the same time, the Summit’s limited ability to end the rift between Iran and the US should not prevent India from putting its strategic interests first. For New Delhi, the outcome of the 18th BRICS Summit can be seen as a reaffirmation of its strategic autonomy, a commitment to strengthening energy resilience, and a continued focus on a citizen-first approach in an increasingly fragmented world.