Brics leaders are set to convene this weekend in New Delhi for their annual summit amid a backdrop of both opportunity and internal challenges, nearly 25 years after the grouping was first conceptualized. Originally coined by economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the bloc has since expanded significantly, now including South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Indonesia, and ten additional partner countries with observer status.

This summit marks Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to India in nearly seven years, signaling a potential easing of tensions between the two most populous members of the group. The expanded Brics collectively represent about 40 percent of the global economy based on purchasing power parity and nearly half the world’s population. Despite this economic heft, the atmosphere leading up to the event has been markedly restrained, with officials emphasizing development, cooperation, and people-centric outcomes rather than overt geopolitical ambitions.

India’s decision to maintain a low profile contrasts with the fanfare surrounding its recent hosting of the G20 and appears aimed at avoiding friction with the United States, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump. Officials have toned down discussions on sensitive topics such as reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, a frequent theme among some Brics members. This caution reflects broader disagreements within the bloc, which hosts diverse political and economic interests. India, for example, resists conceding a leadership role primarily to China, while member countries like Iran and the UAE maintain opposing stances in U.S.-led regional conflicts, complicating efforts at diplomatic cohesion.

Despite these differences, the bloc has achieved concrete progress in economic collaboration. The New Development Bank, established in 2015 as an alternative to traditional Western-led financial institutions like the World Bank, has approved approximately $43 billion in loans. Trade among Brics nations has surged more than 13-fold since 2003, reaching $1.2 trillion in 2025. Cooperation now spans multiple areas, including health research, vaccine development, green energy, and space technology. Proposals are underway to connect digital payment systems such as Brazil’s Pix and India’s Unified Payments Interface, potentially providing a mechanism to circumvent U.S. dollar dominance in global transactions, although New Delhi remains cautious about explicitly pursuing "de-dollarization."

Geopolitical tensions continue to test Brics unity, particularly around China’s rising influence within the group. As the sole global superpower among the members, China wields significant sway, with Beijing viewing Brics as a strategic instrument to promote a global order more aligned with its interests. Russia’s increased economic reliance on Brics partners following Western sanctions has reinforced the bloc’s importance in shifting global alliances, especially in the context of accelerating military expenditures by China, Russia, and India.

Efforts to expand the bloc’s reach have sparked controversy. The 2023-24 inclusion of Iran and the UAE introduced contentious dynamics, highlighted by disputes during early-year foreign ministers’ meetings and discord over a China-sponsored naval exercise off South Africa’s coast. Some members prefer maintaining a focus on economic development, whereas others advocate for a broader security agenda.

Observers note that while Brics lacks a permanent secretariat and formal structures similar to those of the European Union or G7, it remains a significant forum for emerging economies seeking to challenge a U.S.-dominated international system. Analysts point out that the group’s success is not measured by cohesion but by its ability to present an alternative to Western unipolarity.

Looking ahead, China is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the bloc’s future, a prospect that India and others may resist amid competing national interests. The summit in New Delhi will thus serve as both a test of Brics’ united front and an indicator of how much divergence the group can accommodate while pursuing shared developmental objectives.