BRICS Summit in New Delhi Tests India’s Balancing Act as G-3 Speculation, Iran-UAE Tensions and De-Dollarization Debate Grow

Source: नवभारत टाइम्स | Original Published At: 2026-09-10 06:45:30 UTC

Key Points

• The article says India is hosting the BRICS summit in New Delhi and faces diplomatic challenges in balancing relations with China, Russia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
• It notes that BRICS aims to strengthen economic development, trade, investment, technical cooperation and political ties among member states, and represents about 45% of the world’s population and more than 28% of global GDP.
• The article says India views BRICS as a multipolar platform for the Global South rather than an anti-US bloc, and seeks to keep the summit agenda focused on inclusive development, counter-terrorism, climate change, sustainable development goals and global digital infrastructure.
• It says tensions between Iran and the UAE, along with disagreements over language on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East issues, could make it difficult for BRICS to adopt a joint statement.
• The article notes that Iran and Russia have pushed for a common BRICS currency and an alternative to the SWIFT banking messaging system, while India does not support a common currency and favors local currency trade, UPI and financial messaging initiatives.
• It discusses the possibility of a G-3 arrangement involving the United States, China and Russia, saying such a dynamic could challenge BRICS’ influence and test India’s strategic autonomy and multialignment approach.