India Hosts BRICS Security Summit: Cross-Border Terrorism, Middle East Key Issues

India is set to host a key BRICS security conclave in New Delhi starting Monday, bringing together National Security Advisers and senior security officials from member countries to discuss a range of geopolitical and emerging security challenges.

The two-day meeting will be chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and is expected to serve as a preparatory platform for the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in India in September.

Prominent participants include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Beijing has confirmed Wang's participation, and he is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Doval on the sidelines. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Nezamipour is also likely to attend, according to officials familiar with preparations.

The discussions will focus on several major global flashpoints, including the conflict in the Middle East and the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war. Regional security developments in South Asia, including tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, are also expected to come up. India is likely to highlight concerns over cross-border terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir, particularly from groups operating out of Pakistan.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), “During the meeting, the National Security Advisers/Heads of Delegation of BRICS member countries will exchange views on the theme 'Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today.'” The ministry said participants will examine evolving security risks, including challenges from emerging technologies and their impact on national security frameworks.

Officials are also expected to assess progress made by BRICS working groups dealing with counter-terrorism cooperation and security issues linked to information and communication technologies.

India is hosting the meeting as the current chair of BRICS, a grouping that has expanded significantly. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the bloc added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates in 2024, while Indonesia became a member in 2025. The grouping now represents nearly half of the world's population, about 40 per cent of global economic output and roughly a quarter of international trade.

The security conclave comes months after BRICS foreign ministers met in May but failed to issue a joint statement due to disagreements among members, particularly differences between Iran and the UAE over developments in West Asia. As consensus could not be achieved on certain issues, India, as chair, released a chair's statement and an outcome document instead.