BRICS Leaders' Summit: India Faces Diplomatic Challenge Amid Global Tensions

As India rolls out the red carpet for the 18th BRICS Leaders'Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India faces its biggest and most delicate diplomatic challenge yet. Amid the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in West Asia, it is prudent to host leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This time the summit is not limited to economic cooperation, but its real test will be whether this grand alliance can reach a consensus despite the division of the world. As BRICS chair, India faces a major diplomatic challenge. Amid ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East (West Asia) and threats looming over vital sea lanes like the Strait of Hormuz, India has to balance the interests of different countries. The group now includes Iran as well as large energy producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have very different strategic interests from those of the other West Asian countries.