The ongoing Iran war is testing India's leadership within the BRICS bloc, as members struggle to achieve consensus on the Middle East conflict. The bloc's inability to speak with one voice on the issue raises questions about its political relevance. This highlights the challenge of building unity among 10 members with divergent interests.

Brics’ inability to speak with one voice on the Middle East conflict has become a stern test of India’s leadership of the bloc, exposing the challenge of building consensus among its 10 members with divergent interests and concerns. The bloc could not agree on a common position on the war at a meeting of Brics officials to discuss Middle East and North Africa issues in New Delhi last week. Brics has long sought to present itself as a voice for the Global South as frustrations with the US-led...