At BRICS Summit, China and India Vie for Influence

Source: The New York Times | Original Published At: 2026-09-11 04:00:27 UTC

Key Points

• Leaders of nearly a dozen emerging-market countries are convening in New Delhi for the annual BRICS summit.
• BRICS was conceived as a counterweight to Western and U.S.-dominated forums such as the Group of 7.
• China has sought to expand BRICS membership and views the grouping as a vehicle for challenging American power.
• India has been more cautious about expansion and sees BRICS as a bridge between the West and the developing world.
• The summit is taking place amid wars, high energy prices, tariffs, and concerns about artificial intelligence that are prompting countries to reconsider alignment with Washington or Beijing.