India hosts annual BRICS summit as 28 nations attend, US absent

India served as host for this year's annual BRICS summit, bringing together leaders and representatives from a total of 28 countries. The scale of participation underscores how the grouping, which began as a small bloc of major emerging economies, continues to broaden its reach and attract growing interest from nations across different regions of the world.

High-profile attendance

Among those present were the presidents of China and Iran, whose participation highlights the summit's role as a venue for countries seeking closer cooperation outside traditional Western-led frameworks. Their attendance also reflects how BRICS continues to serve as a meeting point for states with varied political and economic interests, united by a shared interest in strengthening their voice in global affairs.

US notably absent

One of the more notable aspects of this year's gathering was the absence of the United States. Washington has never been a BRICS member, but its absence from an event drawing such a wide array of nations is being viewed as a symbolic marker of the widening gap between Western and non-Western centers of global influence.

Background

The BRICS designation was originally coined to describe five major developing economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In recent years the grouping has expanded, adding new member states and deepening cooperation across various areas. This year's summit in India, with representatives from 28 countries in attendance, illustrates the continued growth of international interest in the platform.