Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India’s BRICS moment puts South Asian neighbours on alert
India is hosting an important BRICS meeting.
Nearby countries are watching because they want to know whether they will be included in important regional discussions.
Bangladesh was invited because it leads BIMSTEC, but it did not attend or send a representative.
Nepal was not invited and has not made an official statement about the meeting.
Some Nepali commentators think this was reasonable, while others think Nepal missed an opportunity.
Pakistan is paying close attention because it wants strong relationships with China and Russia.
Pakistan also reportedly applied to join BRICS in 2024.
The article says India should use its leadership to listen to neighbours and help them discuss issues such as climate disasters.
Neighbouring countries are assessing BRICS mainly through concerns about access, exclusion and tensions with India.
Bangladesh was invited as current BIMSTEC chair, not as a BRICS member or partner country, but declined to attend or send an envoy.
Nepal, the current SAARC chair, was not invited and has issued no official public response to the summit.
Pakistan welcomed engagement that supports regional stability but remains concerned about China-India ties and reportedly sought BRICS membership in 2024.
The article argues India’s BRICS leadership should give neighbouring countries a voice, including on climate-related disasters.
- Who
- India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and other South Asian countries, along with BRICS members and regional organisations.
- What
- Neighbouring countries are responding to and assessing India’s BRICS leadership, invitations and regional diplomacy.
- When
- During the BRICS Summit discussed in the article; Pakistan’s foreign ministry addressed related questions on 2 September, while earlier comparisons include 2016 and 2024.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, with reactions and concerns across South Asia.
- Why
- Countries are concerned about access to regional forums, exclusion, relations with India and the potential effects of closer ties among India, China, Russia and Iran.
Arguments for greater regional inclusion
Arguments for limited participation
Bangladesh’s role at the summit
Arguments for greater regional inclusion
Bangladesh could have attended or sent an envoy as BIMSTEC chair to represent the organisation and support multilateral cooperation.
Arguments for limited participation
India invited Bangladesh only in its capacity as BIMSTEC chair; Dhaka was neither a BRICS member nor a partner country, so a state-level invitation was not required.
Nepal’s public response
Arguments for greater regional inclusion
Nepal could have used the summit to raise concerns such as the climate crisis and pursue diplomatic and economic opportunities.
Arguments for limited participation
Nepal has not sought BRICS membership, and commentators argued that it did not need to issue a public statement about a grouping it does not belong to.
Pakistan’s regional ambitions
Arguments for greater regional inclusion
Pakistan views engagement with China, Russia and other forums as a way to strengthen regional peace, stability and its international relevance.
Arguments for limited participation
The article portrays Pakistan’s efforts to deepen ties with Russia and gain access to forums led by India as driven partly by strategic rivalry and a desire to challenge India’s relationships.
- Host country
- India hosted the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- Bangladesh’s invitation
- Bangladesh was invited as chair of BIMSTEC, not as a BRICS member or partner country.
- Bangladesh’s response
- Bangladesh’s prime minister was not invited in a state capacity, and Dhaka declined to attend or send an envoy representing BIMSTEC.
- Nepal’s position
- Nepal, the current SAARC chair, was not invited and issued no official response cited in the article.
- Pakistan’s BRICS application
- Pakistan reportedly applied for BRICS membership in 2024.
- Pakistan’s stated view
- Pakistan said it welcomed engagement contributing to regional peace and stability and that its partnership with China was not affected by China’s relationship with another country.
- Regional issue
- The article highlights climate-induced disasters as an issue India could help neighbouring countries raise internationally.