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Emerging Powers Seek an Alternative to the West, but War Divides Them

Leaders of China, Russia, India and other BRICS club nations meet in New Delhi this weekend, but wars and soaring energy prices threaten to undermine unity.

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By Tiffany MayYeganeh TorbatiDavid Pierson and Valerie Hopkins

Tiffany May reported from Hong Kong, Yeganeh Torbati from Istanbul, David Pierson from New Delhi and Valerie Hopkins from Moscow.

Sept. 11, 2026Updated 1:12 a.m. ET

Leaders of a group of emerging economies will gather in New Delhi on Saturday as wars and soaring oil prices test the unity of their coalition that seeks to reshape a global order dominated by the United States.

The summit of BRICS nations brings together countries like China, Russia, Brazil and India that share an interest in reducing the world’s dependence on Western institutions. But it also includes countries like the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. security partner that has come under attack by Iran, a fellow BRICS member.

Iran wants to show that Western sanctions have not left it isolated, even as it digs into a war with the United States that has severely restricted the crucial Strait of Hormuz route for oil and other commodities. Its fellow BRICS members, however, have a strong interest in stable energy flows and lower prices.

For the host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, the summit is a delicate geopolitical balancing act. India, which has long seen China as a rival, is alone among the founding group members in also wanting to reduce Beijing’s sway in world affairs. Even as Mr. Modi tries to rally BRICS partners like Russia, he cannot afford to be overtly anti-American.

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, will visit India for the first time in seven years, along with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran and the other leaders of the group.

Nearly Half the World, But Little in Common

BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the group’s earliest members. The coalition expanded in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the Emirates and Indonesia. Ten other nations joined as so-called partner countries.

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