NEW DELHI — India is preparing to host the BRICS leaders’ summit on 12–13 September, with regional conflict, energy security and financial cooperation expected to dominate the agenda.
The expanded group now includes countries with sharply different strategic interests. Tensions involving Iran and the United Arab Emirates have made agreement on language concerning the Middle East particularly difficult.
Leaders and senior representatives from China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia and other members are expected in New Delhi. The gathering will also provide opportunities for bilateral meetings among major powers.
India is promoting closer links among BRICS central-bank digital currencies as a way to make cross-border payments faster and less expensive. Technical incompatibilities, trade imbalances and political mistrust remain significant obstacles.
New Delhi has stressed that payment-system cooperation is intended to improve transactions rather than create a single currency or immediately displace the United States dollar. Earlier proposals for common BRICS financial arrangements have progressed slowly.
The summit will test whether a larger and more diverse BRICS can reach practical decisions while accommodating members on opposing sides of major geopolitical disputes. The final declaration will provide an important measure of that cohesion.
Sources
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