BRICS Summit Concludes Amidst Calls for New Global Order and Internal Divisions

The recent BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi with member nations reaffirming their commitment to fostering a new, multipolar global order and advocating for a multilateral system free from the dominance of any single power. The "New Delhi Declaration" emphasized the need for reforms within international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions, to grant a greater voice to developing economies and to oppose unilateral economic sanctions and trade protectionism.

However, the summit also exposed significant internal divisions, particularly regarding the ongoing U.S.-led war on Iran, which has tested the unity of the expanded bloc. The conflict has created friction between member states like Iran and the United Arab Emirates, with the UAE suspending trade and financial ties with Iran following missile strikes. Crafting a joint declaration that addressed these sensitive geopolitical issues, including the Middle Eastern conflicts and the war in Ukraine, required intricate compromises due to the bloc's consensus-based decision-making.

The war in Iran has had a direct economic impact, including a near-shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, driving crude oil prices above $100 a barrel. While the declaration expressed grave concern over rising tensions in West Asia and called for restraint, finding common ground on these complex conflicts proved challenging for the diverse group of nations.