The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 in India is bringing some of the world’s most influential emerging economies together at a time when international conflicts are making cooperation harder.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the summit in New Delhi, where leaders are expected to discuss global governance, economic cooperation and major international crises. Nigeria joined BRICS as a partner country as the group expanded its reach across the Global South.
But this year’s meeting is about more than expanding trade and economic cooperation. It is also a test of whether BRICS can remain united when its members have sharply different positions on major conflicts.
Middle East Crisis Puts BRICS Unity Under Pressure
The BRICS global conflicts debate has become harder because Iran, a BRICS member, is directly involved in the ongoing Middle East crisis, while the United Arab Emirates, another member, has taken a different position.
The conflict has already disrupted energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel. Reuters reports that the disagreement between Iran and the UAE could make it difficult for BRICS leaders to agree on a strong joint statement.
That creates a major test for the BRICS Summit 2026. The bloc wants to present itself as a stronger voice for the Global South, but its members do not always agree on the biggest geopolitical issues.
Nigeria’s Role Goes Beyond Attending
For Nigeria, Kashim Shettima attending the BRICS summit is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with major economies including China, India and Russia.
Nigeria’s participation also comes as BRICS pushes cooperation in areas such as trade, digital payments, investment and supply chains. The expanded bloc now represents about half of the world’s population and a significant share of global economic output.
For Abuja, the value may therefore be less about taking sides in global conflicts and more about using its position to build economic partnerships. Nigeria could benefit if BRICS cooperation creates more opportunities for investment, infrastructure financing, technology and access to new markets.
Can BRICS Turn Its Size Into Influence?
The biggest question at the BRICS Summit in India is whether the group can turn its growing membership into practical influence.
The bloc is discussing alternatives to heavy dependence on the US dollar, including greater use of local currencies and independent payment systems. But members have different economic systems and political interests, making agreement difficult.
The ongoing conflicts are exposing that weakness. If BRICS can produce meaningful agreements despite those divisions, it could strengthen its claim to represent a more multipolar world. If members struggle to agree, the summit could instead show that having more countries around the table does not necessarily mean having a stronger common position.
