Russia, Iran sidelined as awkward BRICS summit guests.
Introduction
As BRICS continues its transformation into a wider geopolitical platform beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the dynamics within the bloc are shifting dramatically. The recent BRICS summit exposed growing divisions, particularly with the presence of new entrants such as Iran and the increasingly isolated Russia. Both countries, once seen as potential anchors in a multipolar order, now appear relegated to the periphery—awkward guests in a club they hoped to dominate.
The summit, meant to foster unity and anti-Western solidarity, instead highlighted internal discomforts and the subtle yet growing influence of economic pragmatism over ideological alignment.
Key Highlights from the BRICS Summit
- Russia’s War-Driven Isolation
While Russia remains a founding BRICS member, its standing has diminished sharply due to the prolonged Ukraine war. Even traditional allies within the group were hesitant to endorse Moscow’s actions, with veiled references to “territorial sovereignty” and “international norms” surfacing in official documents. - Iran’s Limited Leverage
Iran, recently welcomed into the BRICS family, arrived with high hopes but faced quiet resistance. Despite Tehran’s rhetoric about multipolarity and anti-imperialism, most economic powerhouses within the bloc remain wary of Iran’s global image and ongoing sanctions regime. - China and India Steer the Agenda
The summit agenda was noticeably tilted towards development finance, global south cooperation, and de-dollarization—areas dominated by China and India. Russia and Iran, grappling with internal economic strains, struggled to find relevance in the discussions.
Why Russia Finds Itself on the Margins
- Geopolitical Baggage:
Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine has not only isolated it from the West but has also complicated its position within BRICS. Countries like India and Brazil are uncomfortable aligning too closely with a nation under heavy global sanctions. - Economic Weakness:
Once a G8 member, Russia’s economy now ranks far below BRICS peers like India and China. With its economy heavily reliant on energy exports and facing declining industrial output, Moscow lacks the clout it once wielded. - Dependence on China:
This unbalanced relationship was visible at the summit, where Moscow was seen echoing Beijing’s statements without adding much of its own agenda.
Iran’s Inclusion: Symbolism vs Substance
- Sanctions and Skepticism:
Iran’s admission to BRICS was hailed as a diplomatic win in Tehran, but its practical contributions remain minimal. Heavily sanctioned and diplomatically volatile, Iran struggles to engage in BRICS initiatives, especially those centered on trade and finance. - Ideological Overload:
Tehran’s focus on anti-Western ideology clashed with the bloc’s broader economic focus. While rhetoric about “resisting Western hegemony” was welcome in public speeches, it found little traction in working sessions focused on development, trade corridors, and monetary reform. - Lack of Investment Appeal:
Unlike South Africa or even Egypt (another new entrant), Iran does not offer a stable investment climate, further diminishing its strategic value to economic-focused BRICS members.
Widening Gap Between Core and Peripheral Members
The BRICS expansion has created a new fault line—between founding economic heavyweights and symbolic political additions. This gap was evident in everything from seating arrangements to speaking time.
- Core Agenda Set by China, India, Brazil
The economic future of BRICS—whether it involves creating a joint currency or launching infrastructure banks—is being driven by China and India, with Brazil playing a balancing role. Russia and Iran were mostly observers in these critical discussions. - Diplomatic Theatre vs Functional Dialogue
While joint photos and press conferences painted a picture of unity, off-record briefings revealed tensions over how far the bloc should challenge the Western-dominated global order. - Subgroup Dynamics Emerging
A silent bloc-within-a-bloc is forming: one that includes nations like China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, focused on economic reform, and another comprising Russia, Iran, and potentially other future entrants that lean on BRICS as a platform for diplomatic survival.
Looking Ahead: Realignment on the Horizon?
- Pragmatism Over Politics:
The summit underscored that BRICS is evolving into an economic consortium rather than an ideological alliance. Members are more interested in trade pacts, development funding, and currency realignment than political posturing. - Selective Engagement:
Countries like India and Brazil may increasingly treat members like Iran and Russia as peripheral participants—important for votes and symbolism, but not for strategic economic planning. - Risk of Bloc Dilution:
If BRICS continues expanding without a coherent vision, there is a growing risk that it becomes a patchwork of conflicting interests, reducing its effectiveness as a global alternative to the West.
Conclusion
The recent BRICS summit showcased not unity, but quiet discord. While the bloc continues to attract attention as a counterweight to Western power structures, the sidelining of Russia and Iran demonstrates an evolving internal hierarchy. BRICS may have widened its circle, but the real power lies in the hands of those with economic stability and strategic foresight—not those seeking refuge from international isolation. The message is clear: in the new BRICS, power is earned, not inherited.