Moscow: India was seen very active in the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is participating in this conference, also met Chinese President Xi Jinping after years. Apart from this, he also warmly met Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of other member countries. This BRICS meeting is being seen as a direct alliance against American dominance. In such a situation, the question arises that what does India want to achieve through BRICS and can its ambition be fulfilled with the presence of China in this group. For many years, Western critics have dismissed BRICS as a relatively insignificant entity. But at last week’s summit the group showed how far it has moved beyond such criticism.
BRICS has become many times more powerful than before
The Kazan summit was attended by top leaders of 36 countries along with the UN Secretary General and formally welcomed the four new members of BRICS – Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. There is a possibility that there may be further membership expansion in BRICS soon. BRICS had added only one new member – South Africa – in 2010 since its establishment in 2006 (as the BRICs are called). Discussion about BRICS is increasing. It has long presented itself as a Western-led alternative to global governance. Today the group has become even more influential, as it takes advantage of growing discontent against Western policies and financial structures.
India becomes the biggest beneficiary of BRICS
Experts believe that among the BRICS members, India is the country which has the closest relations with western countries. Despite this, it is the biggest beneficiary of the growth and expansion of BRICS. India has deep relations with most of the new BRICS members. Egypt is a growing trade and security partner in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates (along with Saudi Arabia, which has been offered BRICS membership but has not yet formally joined) is one of India’s most important partners. India’s relations with Ethiopia are the longest and closest in Africa.
India is pursuing its interests through BRICS
Not only the new members, but also the original members of BRICS continue to provide important benefits for India. Large-scale efforts were made by Western countries to isolate Russia. Despite this, India has been signaling its continued commitment towards its close friend Russia. Working with BRICS rival China is helping India in its slow, cautious effort to reduce tensions with Beijing. A glimpse of this was seen when India announced a border patrol agreement with China just a day before the summit. The announcement created an essential diplomatic and strategic environment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit.
India will control the West through BRICS
Additionally, BRICS enables India to pursue its core foreign policy principle of strategic autonomy. India has important partnerships both bilateral and multilateral within and outside the West. In this sense, its presence in the rapidly strengthening BRICS and relations with its members can be balanced with its participation in the revived Indo-Pacific Quad and its strengthened ties with the US and other Western powers. More broadly, it can be recognized that BRICS’ priorities are India’s priorities.
BRICS is following India’s line
The joint statement issued after the recent summit reiterated the same principles and goals that India articulates in its own public messaging and policy documents. This includes engaging with the Global South (an important outreach goal for India), promoting multilateralism and multipolarity, advocating UN reform (India wants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council), and criticizing the Western sanctions regime. (which affects Delhi’s trade with Russia and infrastructure projects with Iran).