Consensus difficult but achievable at BRICS meeting, says former envoy

Source: The Tribune | Original Published At: 2026-05-13 15:25:45 UTC

Key Points

• Former ambassador Rajiv Bhatia said India faces a difficult but feasible task in building consensus at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
• He cited divisions within BRICS over the Iran-Israel conflict and broader West Asia tensions as key diplomatic challenges.
• Bhatia proposed three consensus elements: concern over conflict impacts, recognition of wider global effects, and BRICS-facilitated dialogue among members.
• The report links regional instability to risks for energy supplies and trade routes, including concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.
• Bhatia said BRICS has both responsibility and opportunity to coordinate responses affecting the Global South, including energy and maritime stability.
• India is hosting the meeting in New Delhi on May 14-15, with multiple ministerial sessions and a joint call on the Prime Minister.