Why BRICS still matters

Friendly: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit. The bloc's multiregion membership could help encourage friendlier India-China relations. — AP/Indian Foreign Ministry

ANY global institution bringing world leaders together in a spirit of friendly cooperation is always welcome, and this weekend’s BRICS Summit in New Delhi is no exception.

A troubled world beset with multiple conflicts only makes this convergence of BRICS’ multiregion membership more timely. Without jointly ganging up against anyone, it can soothe sore Iran-United Arab Emirates ties and encourage warming India-China relations while promoting global growth and development generally.