Leaders of emerging economies will gather in New Delhi on Saturday as wars and soaring oil prices test the unity of their coalition seeking to reshape a global order dominated by the United States. The BRICS summit brings together China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa, expanded to include the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia. Member-states account for nearly half the world’s population and almost 40 percent of global economic output.

But the group struggles to agree on a common objective, with China, Russia and Iran pushing an alternative to U.S. dominance while others maintain close ties with Washington. The UAE hosts U.S. military bases; Egypt receives U.S. military aid. Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten energy flows vital to other members.

For host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, the summit is a delicate balancing act—seeking to reduce China’s sway while avoiding overt anti-Americanism. Xi Jinping will visit India for the first time in seven years, alongside Vladimir V. Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian.

Sergei A. Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said the group is divided over the Iran war and the outcome is uncertain. BRICS helps Iran evade sanctions, with China buying most of its oil.

Stronger ties with India, China and Russia could give Iran more leverage in U.S. negotiations, but its Strait of Hormuz stance risks disrupting partners’ interests. Putin aims to show the West he has powerful allies through BRICS economic lifelines from China, India and Brazil.