BRICS Energy Security Faces Coordinated Challenge at New Delhi Summit

BRICS, a coalition of emerging economies, is gaining influence in global energy markets but lacks the institutional framework to protect its members during supply shocks. The group's energy security faces a major coordination test as it brings together major exporters such as Russia and Saudi Arabia with major importers like India and China.

The BRICS leaders' meeting in New Delhi on September 12-13 will focus on energy security, the conflict in West Asia, and trade. However, the grouping's energy priorities are not aligned, making it challenging to respond quickly during a supply disruption.

According to The Economic Times, BRICS represents around a quarter of global nominal GDP and nearly half of the world's population. Its members, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE, account for roughly 41-47% of global crude oil production. However, this concentration does not guarantee collective control or coordination.

Experts point out that BRICS lacks a unified policy, political alignment, and physical systems to act as a dependable collective shield during an energy crisis. The group's renewable-energy dimension further complicates the picture, with some members seeking to expand manufacturing capacity while others remain closely tied to oil and gas exports.