The war between the United States, Israel and Iran is at the heart of a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, which is due to open on Thursday in New Delhi, India.
This two-day meeting constitutes a test for the group, which will have to try to reach a common position despite the divisions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
BRICS, initially made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to several countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Tehran asked India, which holds the BRICS presidency in 2026, to use this meeting to build a consensus condemning the American and Israeli strikes against Iran.
But this ambition comes up against tensions between Iran and several Gulf countries, in particular the United Arab Emirates. After the launch of the American and Israeli military campaign against Iran on February 28, Tehran fired missiles and drones towards several Gulf states.
The situation could be even more delicate after reports that the United Arab Emirates had discreetly carried out strikes against Iranian military and energy sites in early April. This information has not been publicly confirmed by the countries concerned, but it risks fueling tensions within the group.
The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, is expected in New Delhi, as is his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The representation of the United Arab Emirates has not yet been specified.
China should be represented by its ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi being detained by Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
Despite everything, India hopes to reach a joint declaration at the end of the meeting. But the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already recognized in March that it was difficult to reach a consensus, with certain members of the BRICS being directly involved in the conflict.
The partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has also placed the energy issue at the center of discussions. Soaring oil prices and trade disruptions have forced several BRICS countries, including India, to adopt emergency measures to protect their economies.
