Arabic version: اجتماع وزراء خارجية بريكس في الهند قبل قمة رئيسية

India is hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from BRICS nations on May 14-15, serving as a precursor to the 18th BRICS summit scheduled for September. This gathering coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s three-day state visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

According to Al Jazeera, the BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to enhance cooperation on security and economic policies, particularly for the Global South. The group has recently expanded, inviting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates to join, while Saudi Arabia has yet to formally join.

The foreign ministers are expected to discuss economic cooperation and coordinate positions on global issues, with a focus on healthcare and pressing health challenges. However, the ongoing war on Iran is anticipated to dominate discussions, impacting the agenda for the upcoming summit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is attending the meeting, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will not be present due to Trump’s visit to China, with the Chinese delegation led by Ambassador to India Xu Feihong. Tensions between Iran and the UAE, exacerbated by the conflict, are also likely to influence the discussions.

The meeting occurs at a challenging time for BRICS, particularly with India’s strengthening ties with the U.S. and Israel. Observers note that the outcomes of this meeting may shape the dynamics of the upcoming summit and the broader geopolitical landscape.