BRICS Summit in Delhi: Why Trump’s Policies Will Loom Large Over Talks
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump may not have a seat at the BRICS table, but his policies are expected to cast a long shadow over the group’s summit in Delhi this weekend. Leaders from 11 BRICS nations are set to meet and discuss issues ranging from global security and trade to energy and economic cooperation, with the impact of US policies likely to be an important underlying concern.
The expanded BRICS group includes India, China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, among others. Saudi Arabia is also expected to attend the summit as an invited member. While the leaders have several issues to discuss, few are as difficult or politically sensitive as their differing views on Washington.
Trump’s trade policies and tariff threats have created uncertainty for both US allies and rivals. At the same time, the conflict involving Iran has added pressure to global energy markets, making the international economic outlook even harder to predict.
It is against this unsettled backdrop that BRICS leaders are gathering in Delhi. The summit offers an opportunity for countries with different political and economic interests to discuss how they can cooperate in a rapidly changing global environment.
However, expectations of a strong collective challenge to Washington remain limited. BRICS is a diverse group, and its members do not necessarily share the same approach towards the United States. That could make it difficult to reach agreement on a statement directly criticising Trump or proposing a coordinated response to his policies.
Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told the BBC that India could not afford to support a joint statement that openly attacks Washington. He expects any criticism of US policies to remain vague and indirect, reflecting the different priorities of the expanded BRICS membership.
For India, the situation requires a particularly careful diplomatic balance. New Delhi has been working towards stronger economic ties with the United States and is reportedly in the final stages of a trade agreement. An openly confrontational BRICS statement could therefore create unnecessary tension with the White House.
India also has its own interests within BRICS. It wants to strengthen cooperation with developing economies while maintaining strategic relationships with major global powers. This balancing act could shape how strongly the summit addresses US trade and foreign policy.
China, another major BRICS member, is also likely to approach the issue carefully. Although Beijing has frequently disagreed with Washington on trade and geopolitical matters, it may not want BRICS to be viewed simply as a platform for confronting the United States.
Russia and Iran, however, could favour a stronger response. Both countries have faced significant pressure from Washington and may see the BRICS platform as an opportunity to challenge US influence and promote a more multipolar global order.
The challenge for the summit will therefore be finding common ground among countries whose relationships with Washington vary dramatically. Some members want to reduce their dependence on the US, while others continue to rely heavily on American markets, investment or strategic partnerships.
Rather than producing a dramatic anti-US declaration, the summit may focus on broader themes such as economic cooperation, energy security, trade diversification and greater representation for emerging economies.
For India, hosting the summit will also be an opportunity to demonstrate its diplomatic influence. New Delhi will have to navigate competing interests while trying to keep BRICS focused on cooperation rather than confrontation.
Trump’s absence from the summit may be obvious, but his policies are likely to remain part of the conversation. The biggest question is whether BRICS can find enough common ground to respond to a changing global order without allowing its internal differences to overshadow the summit.
BRICS summit: Leaders are meeting in Delhi this weekend.
Trump’s influence: US President Donald Trump is not a BRICS member, but his policies are expected to shape discussions.
Key concerns: US tariffs, trade policies, geopolitics and global energy markets.
BRICS members: Include India, China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, UAE and Iran.
Saudi Arabia: Expected to attend as an invited member.
Major challenge: BRICS members have different views on how to respond to Washington.
India’s position: New Delhi is balancing BRICS cooperation with its relationship with the US.
Trade deal: India is reportedly in the final stages of a trade agreement with Washington.
Russia and Iran: May favour a stronger stance against US policies.
Likely outcome: Any criticism of Washington could remain broad, vague or indirect rather than becoming a direct anti-US declaration.