BRICS: UAE, KSA Diverging Paths, Same Goals

The UAE has swiftly embraced its role within BRICS, balancing its relationships with the bloc and Western partners. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is proceeding more cautiously, taking a slower approach as it weighs its options. Both nations, however, are keen to maintain strong ties with the US while also turning towards BRICS as part of a broader strategy. They perceive themselves as multi-aligned and ready to embrace the emerging multipolar global order, balancing relationships across different power centers.

MBZ in Kazan

The UAE’s involvement in the BRICS Summit this week has been marked by active diplomacy and high-level discussions. On Wednesday, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held critical talks with several world leaders in Kazan, Russia, marking the UAE’s first participation as an official member of the expanded BRICS bloc. Notably, Sheikh Mohamed met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the first time, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. These discussions focused on enhancing international cooperation across various sectors, emphasizing economic development, trade, and global partnerships.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to multilateral cooperation to foster peace and development. “I was pleased to participate in the BRICS summit today in Kazan, Russia. The UAE supports multilateral cooperation that fosters peace and development while strengthening collective action to address global challenges,” he stated. His remarks underscore the UAE’s strategic focus on leveraging its BRICS membership to play a pivotal role in shaping global progress. Sheikh Mohamed further emphasized the UAE’s determination to work “resolutely with member states to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for all.”

This participation reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to engage deeply with emerging economies through multilateral forums such as BRICS. As Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted, the UAE aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development in line with global objectives. He stressed that in today’s interconnected world, the dynamism and potential of emerging economies must be harnessed to advance global prosperity.

The UAE’s Geopolitical and Geo-economic Strategy within BRICS

For the UAE, BRICS represents a forum for cooperation and a critical geopolitical and geo-economic vector. The country’s strategic relations with China and India are well-established, and these solid economic ties reflect the UAE’s deep engagement with two of the world’s largest economies, both key BRICS members.

Moreover, the multilateral dialogue fostered within BRICS is essential for both the UAE’s international standing and its regional agenda. This was evident in the recent meeting between President Sheikh Mohamed and Iranian President Pezeshkian, marking the first meeting between the leaders of two countries that were adversaries until a few years ago but have now begun a normalization process. One of the central issues discussed was the long-standing territorial dispute over the three islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tonb, and Lesser Tonb—which had reignited tensions in the previous week following the joint EU-GCC summit declaration.

The UAE’s rapid formal accession to BRICS in January 2024—following the bloc’s major expansion decision at the Durban Summit last year—highlights its proactive approach to multilateral platforms. However, the UAE’s engagement with BRICS is not entirely new; the country has been a member of the BRICS New Development Bank (headquartered in Shanghai) since 2021. The UAE values the agile format of BRICS, which lacks the binding structures of other multilateral institutions, allowing for more flexibility in advancing its interests.

But the Emirates maintains also exceptional ties with India, as evidenced by its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted bilateral cooperation. Recently, the UAE was also designated as a “Major Defense Partner” by the US, a status previously held only by India, enhancing its strategic partnership with Washington. Additionally, the UAE’s participation in initiatives such as I2U2 demonstrates its multifaceted foreign policy, which seeks to balance relationships across regions and powers to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.

Saudi Arabia’s Deliberate Approach to BRICS

While the UAE has embraced its role within BRICS in a formal way, swift diplomacy and high-level engagement, Saudi Arabia has adopted a more cautious stance, reflecting its complex geopolitical considerations. Despite receiving an official invitation to join BRICS in January 2024, Riyadh has yet to formalize its entry. Saudi Arabia will likely participate shortly, but it appears to be biding its time for now.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has notably skipped the Kazan summit and last year’s BRICS meeting, delegating his attendance to Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. This decision to abstain from attending the summit in person came shortly after bin Farhan had hosted Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the Ukrainian President, in Riyadh—a visit that raised questions about Saudi Arabia’s message in the context of its evolving foreign policy. Given Russia’s embarrassing presence, could this have been a subtle signal from the Kingdom to distance itself, at least temporarily, from the BRICS bloc? Perhaps it doesn’t, but…

During the same days as the Kazan summit, MbS hosted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh instead. Their discussions reportedly focused on seizing the opportunity to end the war in Gaza and alleviate suffering. Blinken stated, “We spoke at great length about seizing this opportunity to end the war and ease suffering in Gaza. We also discussed efforts underway to achieve a diplomatic solution in Lebanon.” Furthermore, the talks included the potential benefits of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, contingent on a satisfactory resolution to the Gaza war and the broader Middle Eastern crisis.

This deliberate pacing reflects Saudi Arabia’s balancing act between its deep-rooted relationships with Western powers, particularly the United States, and its growing interest in the BRICS framework. Saudi Arabia’s strategic tightrope walking between BRICS and its traditional allies hinges on its broader geopolitical and economic interests, notably in the energy sector. While Riyadh sees value in BRICS as an alternative platform for economic cooperation, its hesitancy likely stems from the need to carefully weigh its alliances and avoid alienating its longstanding partners in the West.

Diverging Paths Towards a Common Goal

“About joining BRICS, Saudi Arabia’s delay is also tied to its relationship with the United States. Riyadh and Washington are still negotiating a new defence pact to strengthen American security guarantees if the kingdom is attacked,” explains Eleonora Ardemagni, ISPI Senior Associate Research Fellow and Teaching Assistant at the Catholic University of Milan.

This pact, which includes diplomatic normalization with Israel and US-Saudi cooperation on civilian nuclear energy, is also expected to limit technological and defense collaboration between Saudi Arabia and China. “Thus, Saudi Arabia’s formal entry into BRICS before signing the new agreement with the United States would be an imprudent move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially during such an unstable period for the Middle East and, consequently, for Riyadh,” Ardemagni notes in an ISPI analysis.

After an initial period of bold and disruptive political moves, Mohammed bin Salman is now exhibiting a more cautious and strategic leadership. Ardemagni points out, “It’s true that the UAE joined BRICS in January 2024 and was later designated by the United States as a major defense partner in September 2024. However, Abu Dhabi reassured Washington by divesting from Chinese technological assets, including artificial intelligence, in spring 2024. The Saudis, who have already sent signals to the US in this regard, still need more time.”

Ultimately, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE are set on maximizing their roles within BRICS, they are moving at “two different speeds” toward the same goal. While the UAE’s rapid integration strengthens its influence within BRICS, Saudi Arabia’s more measured approach reflects its strategic calculations vis-à-vis its traditional Western alliances. As both nations navigate these complex dynamics, BRICS is likely to evolve into a platform where diverse geopolitical interests intersect.