The 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit convenes in New Delhi this Saturday, with member states seeking to bolster the bloc’s global standing amidst significant internal divisions. The summit, taking place on September 12-13, comes at a critical juncture, particularly following six months of conflict initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran, a BRICS member since 2024. The United Arab Emirates, another member that joined in the same year, finds itself on opposing sides of the conflict, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape the bloc is navigating.

The BRICS grouping, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. It was established with the explicit aim of challenging the Western-dominated global order. However, as the alliance approaches its 20th anniversary, analysts suggest that while BRICS has contributed to a more multipolar world, it has yet to forge a unified alternative to Western influence.

While the bloc offers a platform outside established Western-led institutions, providing Global South countries with increased bargaining power and economic options, its effectiveness is hampered by persistent divisions. The U.S. dollar retains its dominance in global finance, and disagreements among members limit the potential for coordinated action on foreign policy and security matters. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday morning for the summit.

Some experts propose that the success of BRICS should not be judged by its ability to replicate or replace Western institutions, but rather by its capacity to impede the unfettered exercise of Western dominance. This perspective suggests that the bloc's value lies in its potential to shift the global balance of power and offer alternative avenues for cooperation.

Researchers Octavio Oliveira and Enzo Godinho from the BRICS Studies Group at the University of Sao Paulo noted that BRICS initiatives are sometimes underestimated because they do not represent the "revolution" some might have anticipated. They argued in a statement to Al Jazeera that while the bloc may lack the institutional capacity of bodies like the United Nations, its very existence serves as a crucial platform for Global South nations to voice their concerns and bypass Western-controlled cooperation mechanisms.

The origins of BRICS can be traced back to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and the stalled Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations. These trade talks were intended to reshape the international trading system to better benefit Global South countries. The formation of BRICS was a direct response to the perceived inadequacies and biases of the existing global economic and political architecture, which was largely shaped by Western powers.

Despite its foundational goals, the bloc has struggled to present a united front on major international issues. The current conflict involving Iran, a key member, exemplifies these internal rifts. The differing stances of member states on this war underscore the challenges BRICS faces in translating its collective economic potential into cohesive foreign policy action.

Questions remain about BRICS's long-term trajectory and its ability to overcome internal divergences. As leaders gather in New Delhi, the summit will be closely watched for any signs of progress in fostering greater unity and defining a more impactful role for the bloc on the world stage, or if existing divisions will continue to limit its ambitions.