India’s 2026 BRICS presidency is set to pose a far more complex diplomatic challenge than its widely praised leadership of the G20. As tensions escalate in the Middle East, divisions among BRICS members — including Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia — are becoming increasingly pronounced, raising questions about New Delhi’s ability to broker consensus within the alliance.
Writing in India Narrative, former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal described the unfolding conflict as an “unwanted war” that is already straining India’s ties across West Asia. He noted that India’s role as BRICS chair will require delicate balancing, particularly given the alliance’s diverse geopolitical alignments.
“Our presidency of BRICS this year will test our diplomacy even more than our very successful G20 presidency did,” Sibal observed, pointing to the difficulty of crafting language acceptable to members with opposing positions. He added that countries such as Russia and China possess diplomatic and strategic leverage that India does not, further complicating consensus-building efforts.
Sibal also underscored the economic risks for India, warning that a prolonged conflict could drive up oil and gas prices, disrupt critical partnerships in the Gulf, and impose broader social and economic costs. India’s relationships with key players — including Israel, Iran, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the United States — will be increasingly difficult to balance as the conflict deepens.
Commenting on the United States’ role, Sibal suggested there is a lack of clear strategy in Washington’s approach to Iran. He argued that attempts to pressure Tehran through military posturing and leadership targeting have failed to achieve their intended outcomes, instead entrenching resistance.
As the conflict drags on, both sides appear unwilling to concede. While the United States may be seeking a way to de-escalate, Iran views the situation as existential and remains wary of negotiations. “The stakes are very high on both sides,” Sibal noted, adding that the central question is which side can sustain its position over time.
