India hosts 28-nation BRICS summit as U.S. stays on the sidelines

India opened its doors to the latest BRICS summit this week, welcoming delegations from 28 nations to New Delhi. Among the high‑profile guests were the presidents of China and Iran, who arrived for a series of bilateral talks and multilateral sessions. NPR reported that the gathering marked the first time the bloc convened on Indian soil since the country assumed the rotating presidency last year.

The summit’s agenda was dominated by discussions on trade, technology cooperation, and the creation of alternative financing mechanisms to reduce reliance on Western‑led institutions. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, South Africa and a host of emerging economies used the platform to push for a new development bank and a coordinated approach to supply‑chain resilience. According to NPR, the presence of China’s president underscored Beijing’s continued commitment to the grouping despite recent diplomatic frictions with several members.

Notably absent was any representation from the United States, a gap that analysts say reflects Washington’s cautious stance toward the bloc’s expanding influence. The omission was highlighted by NPR as a symbolic indicator of the growing ideological divide between the U.S. and the BRICS nations, especially as the group contemplates a shared currency and joint investment projects.

Formed in 2016, BRICS originally brought together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as a counterweight to the G7’s economic dominance. Over the past decade the alliance has broadened its membership, inviting countries from Africa, the Middle East and Latin America to participate in dialogue and cooperation initiatives. The annual summit serves as the primary venue for setting the group’s strategic direction, negotiating trade accords, and showcasing collective projects such as the New Development Bank, which now boasts a capital base exceeding $100 billion.

The outcomes of this year's meeting could reshape trade patterns across the Global South. By emphasizing digital infrastructure, renewable energy collaboration, and a push for a shared reserve currency, the bloc signals its intent to create parallel institutions that challenge the existing Western‑centric order. Observers note that the summit’s decisions will likely feed into upcoming negotiations at the United Nations and World Trade Organization, where BRICS members plan to present a unified front on issues ranging from climate finance to intellectual‑property rules.

Looking ahead, the rotating presidency will pass to Brazil in 2027, setting the stage for the next host nation to build on New Delhi’s agenda. As the group continues to expand, the absence of U.S. participation may become a recurring theme, prompting Washington to reassess its diplomatic calculus toward the coalition.