Can the Global South speak with a single voice?

What happens when countries that represent a huge share of the world’s population come together while wars, tariffs and energy crises are shaking the global economy? That is the challenge facing BRICS in New Delhi. The 11-member bloc has unanimously adopted a joint declaration calling for calm in the Middle East and cooperation to protect global trade, supply chains and energy flows.

India is hosting the two-day summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the centre of a difficult balancing act. China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders attending. BRICS began in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined later, and today the group is much bigger and more diverse.  The timing of the summitcould hardly be more complicated. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are disrupting shipping and energy markets, while US tariffs are putting additional pressure on several BRICS economies.

The joint declaration sent a clear message on the Middle East. BRICS expressed deep concern over rising tensions and called for maximum restraint. It also warned against deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities. On Palestine, the bloc opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians and changes to the geography or demographics of occupied territory. It also called for an end to Israeli violence in Gaza, support for UNRWA, and full UN membership for Palestine.

However, BRICS is not simply talking about wars. The bloc wants to reshape how countries trade and move money. Its declaration supports expanding non-Western cross-border payment systems, greater cooperation on artificial intelligence, and opposition to unilateral sanctions and tariffs. That could reduce dependence on financial systems dominated by Western powers.

However, here is the biggest problem: BRICS is far from united. Iran and the UAE, both members, are on opposing sides of the current conflict involving Iran. And while BRICS strongly criticized the US-Israeli campaign against Iran last year, its foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement on the conflict in May. So, can this expanded bloc really act as one?

BRICS may have powerful members, but size alone does not create power. Its real strength will depend on how effectively members can work together despite their differences. For India, the core question is: can BRICS turn its growing economic weight into a stronger voice for the Global South?