BRICS Summit in Delhi Challenges Western-Dominated World Order Amid Internal Divisions

BRICS leaders are convening in New Delhi for a summit focused on addressing Western global dominance, with the lingering impact of Donald Trump's policies casting a notable shadow over discussions. The 18th BRICS Summit, taking place from September 12-13, 2026, aims to strengthen the bloc's role as a platform for emerging powers to assert a greater voice in international governance and finance. Member states are deliberating on strategies to create a more multipolar world order and reduce reliance on Western-controlled systems, including exploring alternative payment mechanisms and increased trade in local currencies.

Donald Trump's previous presidency and his potential future influence are significant factors in the summit's context. His administration's protectionist trade policies, threats of tariffs, and perceived unilateralism are seen by some as having inadvertently created opportunities for BRICS nations to seek alternatives to the US-led global order. Trump's strong opposition to de-dollarization efforts and his view of BRICS as an anti-American grouping are also under consideration, contributing to the geopolitical backdrop of the gathering.

Host nation India is navigating a delicate balance, aiming to bolster BRICS as a voice for the Global South without allowing it to become an explicitly anti-Western alliance. While there is a collective desire among BRICS members to challenge the existing global order and advocate for reforms in institutions like the IMF and World Bank, internal divisions, such as competing strategic interests between India and China and differing views on various international conflicts, present challenges to achieving a unified anti-Western stance.