Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS Gives India Strategic Room to Maneuver
BRICS is a group where India meets several large and growing countries.
India wants to work with China and Russia while also keeping partnerships with the United States, Europe, Japan and the Quad.
This gives India more choices when the world faces political or economic problems.
India hopes BRICS can make trade and payments between countries easier.
It also wants better access to markets in Africa, the Gulf, Latin America and Asia.
Narendra Modi’s meetings with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin could help India discuss borders, trade, defence and energy.
India also wants developing countries to have a stronger voice in global institutions.
However, BRICS members do not agree on everything.
The group is not expected to become a military alliance or quickly replace the dollar.
India views BRICS as a way to engage China, Russia and emerging economies without joining an anti-Western bloc.
The group is exploring more cross-border payments, trade in national currencies and reduced dependence on any single financial system.
Meetings between Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin offer opportunities on border management, trade, defence, energy and payments.
India is using BRICS to promote greater Global South representation in the IMF, World Bank and United Nations Security Council.
Analysts say BRICS is unlikely to become a defence alliance or replace the dollar-based financial system because members have divergent interests.
- Who
- India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside BRICS members including China, Russia and other emerging economies.
- What
- India is using the BRICS summit to expand diplomatic, trade, financial and strategic options while promoting Global South interests.
- When
- During the 18th BRICS summit; the Modi–Putin meeting was reported as taking place on Friday, with no date specified.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- India seeks greater room to maneuver among competing powers, diversify trade and supply chains, and reduce exposure to global disruptions without abandoning its Western partnerships.
India’s strategic hedging
Western criticism
Purpose of BRICS
India’s strategic hedging
Indian diplomats see BRICS as a flexible platform that lets India engage China and Russia while maintaining ties with the United States, Europe, Japan and the Quad.
Western criticism
Western critics view the expanded group as potentially challenging United States economic and political influence, while noting that its members disagree about its ultimate purpose.
Global order
India’s strategic hedging
India wants to reform existing institutions and increase the Global South’s representation in bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and United Nations Security Council.
Western criticism
Some BRICS members see the group more as a counterweight to Western economic and political power, creating uncertainty over whether it seeks reform or replacement of the existing system.
Practical impact
India’s strategic hedging
Indian officials believe closer monetary cooperation, diversified supply chains and wider markets could benefit Indian companies and reduce dependence on any single partner.
Western criticism
The group’s strategic rivalries, Russia’s war in Ukraine and members’ continued integration with United States and European markets limit the prospect of a unified bloc.
- Summit
- The event is the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi.
- India’s approach
- New Delhi treats BRICS as a platform for strategic hedging rather than an anti-Western alliance.
- Economic priorities
- Discussions include cross-border payments, national currencies, trade, agriculture, food security, logistics and technology.
- China relationship
- A Modi–Xi Jinping meeting could address border management, trade and the restoration of economic links.
- Russia relationship
- India seeks to reinforce defence, energy and payments ties with Russia.
- Global governance
- India supports greater representation for developing countries in the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and United Nations Security Council.
- Limits of BRICS
- Members have divergent interests, and India does not expect BRICS to become a defence alliance or replace the dollar-based financial system.