BRICS foreign ministers began a two-day meeting in New Delhi on May 14, 2026, to discuss the impact of the Iran-Israel war [1], [2].
The gathering occurs as the conflict continues to destabilize global oil markets and threaten economic stability across the Global South. The meeting serves as a critical alignment session to establish the agenda for the BRICS leaders' summit scheduled for September 2026 [3], [4].
Representatives from India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa are in attendance [1]. China's foreign minister is absent from the talks because of a concurrent summit between President Xi and Donald Trump in Beijing [5].
Delegates are focusing on the volatility of oil prices and the broader economic cooperation of the bloc [1], [2]. The Iran-Israel war has cast a significant shadow over the proceedings, as ministers seek to maintain cohesion while navigating the geopolitical fallout of the conflict [2], [3].
These discussions are intended to coordinate a unified response from the BRICS nations regarding the war's effect on international trade [3]. The ministers are also addressing how the instability affects the specific economic interests of member states within the Global South [4].
The meeting runs through May 15, 2026 [1]. The outcomes of these two days of talks will directly inform the strategic priorities discussed by heads of state later this year [4].
“The Iran-Israel war has cast a significant shadow over the proceedings”
The absence of China's foreign minister highlights a competing priority for Beijing, balancing its role in the BRICS bloc with direct bilateral negotiations with the U.S. Meanwhile, the focus on the Iran-Israel war underscores the bloc's desire to position itself as an alternative center of diplomatic and economic power capable of managing crises that disrupt the Global South.
