NEW DELHI: India’s push for agreement at the BRICS summit beginning Sept 12 faces divisions among its members over the West Asia conflict.Russian officials, speaking to their country’s media, have acknowledged difficult negotiations, while Brazilian reporting has raised doubts about a strong final declaration. Yet Chinese commentary has highlighted opportunities for India’s presidency, including closer trade ties. These contrasting accounts suggest that the challenge for New Delhi is to keep economic cooperation moving while finding language that countries with conflicting security interests can accept.The Sept 12–13 summit at Bharat Mandapam will bring these differences into focus. A final declaration records the common positions that participating countries have agreed to support.
Cannot predict outcome of declaration: Russian minister
Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS that some members were sharply critical of Tehran’s actions, making the Gulf situation Brics’ most pressing political issue. “And as of today, I cannot predict what the outcome will be,” he said about negotiations on the final document.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that Iran–UAE differences complicated drafting, but expressed confidence that diplomats would find acceptable wording.The disagreement concerns what members want Brics to say about the conflict. Iran’s Mehr agency reported its judiciary chief’s call at a preparatory meeting for condemnation of US–Israeli attacks. UAE agency WAM highlighted Emirati criticism of Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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Chinese commentary has focused on India’s economic strengths. A Global Times article carried by People’s Daily praised its strengths in digital techn and medicine, while saying that bridging differences among members would test Indian diplomacy.Another Global Times commentary advocated deeper India–China trade and greater Chinese market access for Indian products. Indian reporting has highlighted New Delhi’s concerns about Chinese restrictions on critical technologies and industrial components.In Brazil, CNN Brasil reported that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would prioritise poll campaigning and send foreign minister Mauro Vieira. South Africa’s Business Day questioned whether expansion had weakened Brics’ unity, while broadcaster SABC highlighted Pretoria’s push for trade, industrialisation and African infra investment.For India, success would mean reaching useful agreements on specific issues while negotiating a common political message among partners whose interests do not always coincide.
