The times challenge alliances.

The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, held in New Delhi, India, on May 14 and 15, was the final preparation for this year's annual summit, hosted by India, in the fall.

This also serves as a test of internal unity and solidarity in the context of the current global political situation and international relations.

Representatives from BRICS countries attending the foreign ministers' meeting in India on May 14, 2026.

Photo: Reuters

The conflict between the US and Iran significantly altered the agenda of the conference and the BRICS group as a whole, given that both Iran and the UAE are members. BRICS found itself in a very difficult position, with almost no internal consensus on the US and Iran, or on the Iran-UAE tensions. Ensuring energy security and the functioning of the global energy supply chain were high priorities on the BRICS agenda, but the group was unable to reach a consensus among its members. All other agenda items were also negatively impacted.

BRICS is currently being tested at the very point that all alliances or groups of nations around the world must confront: internal unity, consensus on viewpoints and directions in order to coordinate actions effectively.

Given its internal situation, BRICS cannot build a role and expand its influence, forge genuine linkages, and develop robustly enough to compete with other frameworks or groups such as the G7 or G20. This foreign ministers' meeting signals that India will not easily achieve a successful term as BRICS chair.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-cuoc-thu-thach-lien-ket-185260514215158716.htm