India Grapples with Divisions Among BRICS Nations on Iran Conflict

BRICS Bloc Faces Divisions Over Middle East Conflict Ahead of New Delhi Meeting

India is set to host the two-day BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, which kicked off on Thursday, with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar chairing the gathering. The meeting is taking place amidst deep divisions within the bloc over how to respond to the war in Iran, following US and Israeli strikes launched more than two months ago.

The conflict in the Middle East has been a point of contention among BRICS members, with some countries appearing to be aligned on opposing sides. Iran, a BRICS member since 2024, has been pressing the group to condemn the military campaign by the US and Israel, and has sought India's backing in doing so. However, the United Arab Emirates, which joined the group in 2024, is unlikely to agree.

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The divisions within the bloc are likely to make it difficult for India to find a consensus among the member countries. In remarks on Thursday, Jaishankar urged the group to work towards a more stable and inclusive international order. He noted that the conflict in West Asia merits particular attention, with continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlighting the fragility of the situation.

The BRICS has fallen short of reaching consensus on key global issues in the past. Last year, the group condemned the July 2025 US-Israeli strikes on Iran, but it was silent on the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January. India's commitment to engaging constructively with all partners has been highlighted by Jaishankar, who stated that India remains committed to engaging constructively with all partners.

Meanwhile, the gathering risks being overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing. China is Iran's biggest buyer of oil and a key provider of diplomatic support on the world stage. The meeting is likely to be a challenging one for India, with Deepika Saraswat, an associate fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, stating that India finds itself in a difficult position as it tries to find a consensus among the contending viewpoints and partners.