What Happened
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India, as the 2026 BRICS Chair, is actively engaging member countries to develop a common BRICS position on the ongoing West Asia conflict.
- Discussions are being facilitated through the Sherpa channel, with a virtual Sherpa meeting held on March 12, 2026, to advance consensus-building among the 11-member group.
- Jaiswal acknowledged significant difficulty in forging a unified stance, citing "differing positions" among member nations — several of whom are directly involved in or supporting parties to the West Asia conflict.
- India's leadership is separately engaging bilaterally with BRICS member countries at the leadership level to build convergence alongside formal Sherpa-level talks.
- India held the BRICS chairmanship from January 1, 2026, with the theme focused on four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.
Static Topic Bridges
BRICS — Structure, Membership, and Decision-Making
BRICS (originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) was formed in 2009 as an economic grouping of major emerging economies. Following a significant expansion in 2024, the bloc now includes 11 members: the original 5 plus Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia. The bloc operates on the principle of consensus — all major decisions require agreement among all members.
- BRICS collectively accounts for approximately 45% of the world's population and over 35% of global GDP (PPP)
- The bloc has no permanent secretariat or treaty-based obligations — decisions are non-binding
- The Sherpa channel consists of senior officials (Sherpas) who coordinate negotiations and prepare the agenda for Leaders' Summits
- India chairs BRICS for the fourth time in 2026, having previously held the chair in 2012, 2016, and 2021
- The 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit is scheduled in India in 2026
Connection to this news: India's chairmanship gives it procedural control over the BRICS agenda, including facilitating emergency consultations on the West Asia conflict through the Sherpa mechanism — but consensus requires all members' agreement, making India's role more that of a mediator than a decisive actor.
The Expanded BRICS and Internal Contradictions
The 2024 BRICS expansion brought in countries with directly conflicting interests. Iran — a party to the West Asia conflict — is now a BRICS member, as are Saudi Arabia and UAE, whose infrastructure has been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. Russia supports Iran's broader geopolitical posture. China maintains strong economic ties with Iran while also having commercial interests in Gulf Arab states.
- Iran's BRICS membership (since January 2024) places it at the same table as Saudi Arabia and UAE — countries whose ports and energy infrastructure Iran has targeted
- Russia and China have generally opposed Western-led interventions and have not condemned Iran's blockade of the Strait
- Brazil (outgoing 2025 chair) issued a statement during the 2025 Iran-Israel 12-day war calling US-Israeli strikes a "violation of international law" — but India as 2026 chair has taken a more cautious approach
- India signed a strategic partnership with Israel during PM Modi's state visit in February 2026, complicating any strong anti-Israel statement within BRICS
Connection to this news: The irreconcilable positions of Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and India within a consensus-based body make a common BRICS statement on West Asia structurally nearly impossible — India's diplomatic challenge as chair is to keep the bloc engaged without forcing a rupture.
India's Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Alignment
India's foreign policy doctrine of "strategic autonomy" — the ability to engage with multiple powers without binding alignment — is being tested acutely by the West Asia conflict. India has maintained ties with both Iran (Chabahar port, residual energy trade) and Israel (defence cooperation, technology), while simultaneously deepening its Quad partnerships with the US.
- India abstained on multiple UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2023–24, reflecting its multi-alignment posture
- PM Modi's state visit to Israel (February 25–26, 2026) and his address to the Knesset affirming India "stands with Israel" significantly tilted India's public posture
- India simultaneously sought Iranian cooperation to release stranded vessels, reflecting a pragmatic dual engagement
- India's 2023 foreign policy framing under S. Jaishankar emphasises: "India is a leading power, not merely a balancing power"
Connection to this news: India's BRICS facilitation role allows it to maintain a formal peace-broker identity while pursuing bilateral interests with all parties — classic strategic autonomy in action, but one that carries the risk of being seen as credibility-constrained by its simultaneous alignment signals.
The Sherpa Mechanism in International Diplomacy
The Sherpa system originated in G7 and G20 processes, where "Sherpas" (named after the mountain guides who prepare the path before the leaders) serve as personal representatives of heads of state in negotiating summit outcomes. BRICS adopted a similar structure, with national Sherpas coordinating positions and drafting communiques ahead of Leaders' Summits.
- Sherpas typically hold the rank of senior secretary-level or ambassador-level officials
- India's 2026 BRICS Sherpa is Sudhakar Dalela (Additional Secretary, MEA)
- The first formal 2026 BRICS Sherpas' meeting was held in New Delhi on February 9–10, 2026
- Emergency virtual Sherpa consultations were convened on March 12, 2026, specifically for the West Asia conflict
- Sherpa meetings produce draft communique text that Leaders then adopt or modify at Summits
Connection to this news: India's convening of a virtual Sherpa meeting just days after the Hormuz crisis escalated demonstrates the procedural mechanism India is using — even if the outcome is acknowledgement of disagreement rather than a common position.
Key Facts & Data
- India is the 2026 BRICS Chair (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026); fourth time holding this role
- BRICS now has 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia
- Virtual BRICS Sherpa meeting on West Asia conflict held March 12, 2026
- India's BRICS Sherpa for 2026: Sudhakar Dalela (Additional Secretary, MEA)
- 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit to be hosted by India in 2026
- BRICS collectively: ~45% of world population, ~35% of global GDP (PPP)
- India abstained on UN resolutions on Israel-Gaza in 2023–24; Modi visited Israel in February 2026