India leveraged the 16th BRICS Summit to advance diplomacy, counter-terrorism, and Global South leadership, emphasizing economic autonomy, multilateralism, and strengthened cooperation amidst geopolitical shifts.
New Delhi: India’s evolving role within BRICS—initially formed to foster economic cooperation—has expanded, offering a strategic platform for both its diplomatic and geopolitical goals. This shift was underscored at the 16th BRICS Summit, held from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Kazan, Russia, where member nations gathered to address critical concerns, from economic independence and security to multilateralism. In an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, BRICS has matured into a comprehensive coalition for political stability, multilateral cooperation, and equitable governance, reflecting India’s ambition to emerge as a leading advocate for the Global South.
A Pivotal Summit: BRICS 2024 and India’s Strategic Diplomacy
The 16th BRICS Summit reaffirmed the bloc’s relevance and highlighted India’s pivotal role in promoting a balanced global order. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a significant step as the two leaders engaged in their first bilateral dialogue in five years, focusing on restoring stability along the eastern Ladakh border. Foreign policy expert Hassan Sajwani called this encounter an “effort to bring mutual trust and build trade relations,” signifying India’s pragmatic use of BRICS as a diplomatic tool. The bloc’s setting enabled India to address security issues while maintaining its non-aligned stance, balancing relationships with the West and global powers alike.
Modi’s engagement with Xi Jinping went beyond symbolic gestures, paving the way for re-establishing pre-2020 border patrol protocols, effectively de-escalating longstanding border tensions. This discussion showcased India’s use of BRICS as a forum for regional peacebuilding, reflecting its influential role as a mediator.
India’s Western Orientation in a Non-Western Bloc
India’s alignment with the West, especially through its associations with the Quad nations—Japan, Australia, and the United States—sets it apart within BRICS. However, its participation in BRICS underscores India’s capacity to leverage strategic alliances while advocating for independent policies, such as continuing its imports of Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Michael Kugelman, a foreign policy analyst, observed, “India may be the most Western-oriented BRICS member, yet it remains one of the bloc’s most significant beneficiaries.” This balancing act exemplifies India’s skill in navigating diverse global relationships while preserving autonomy in its foreign policy.
India’s nuanced engagement with BRICS highlights how it benefits from Western connections while simultaneously nurturing relations with non-Western coalitions. This pragmatic diplomacy positions India as a central force within BRICS, contributing to economic dialogue and multilateral cooperation without compromising its Western alliances.
Beyond Economics: India’s Expanding Agenda within BRICS
Originally established to counterbalance Western economic influence, BRICS has broadened its mission to address an array of global issues. At the Kazan Summit, India advocated for international institutional reform, technological collaboration, and a stronger peacebuilding role for BRICS. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of a multipolar order, where emerging economies such as those in BRICS hold greater sway in global affairs.
Analyst Nancy Tabet from Sky News Arabia commented, “BRICS is proving its strength as more than just an economic alliance; it’s becoming a platform for diplomacy and trust-building.” India’s emphasis on United Nations reforms mirrors its vision for a more balanced world order, where developing countries have a meaningful voice.
India and China: From Competition to Cooperative Engagement
The BRICS platform facilitated a constructive dialogue between India and China, despite historical rivalries. Ahead of the summit, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar announced an agreement with China to reinstate border patrols to pre-2020 standards, underscoring India’s commitment to regional security through dialogue. Erik Solheim, a seasoned diplomat, noted the Modi-Xi dialogue as a pivotal moment of the summit, remarking, “India-China border control agreements and their successful engagement at Kazan were key outcomes.” BRICS enabled India to foster regional security, exemplifying how diplomatic discussions within the bloc can stabilize complex relationships.
Balancing Geopolitical Ties: India’s Dual Strategy within BRICS
BRICS enables India to cultivate ties with both Western and non-Western countries. As Kugelman observed, “BRICS provides India the opportunity to stake out more balanced relations with the West and non-Western states.” This dual alignment supports India’s continued defense procurement from Russia and ongoing oil imports despite Western sanctions, allowing India to honor historic alliances with Russia while strengthening ties with the West through the Quad alliance.
India’s statements at the Kazan Summit underscored its commitment to both BRICS and multilateralism, demonstrating a strategic balance that enhances its global influence. By participating in BRICS, India reinforces its traditional alliance with Russia while embracing a flexible, non-aligned approach to its international relationships.
India’s Influence in BRICS’s Expansion
India’s strategic influence extends to shaping BRICS’s expansion, which now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. Jaishankar articulated India’s advocacy for a multipolar international framework, noting that BRICS signifies a departure from traditional Western-dominated order. The expansion aligns with India’s preference for like-minded partners, excluding countries it views as ideologically incompatible, such as Turkey.
India’s impact on BRICS membership is evident with the inclusion of Egypt, one of its top trading partners, and Ethiopia, a strategic ally. This enlargement aligns with India’s vision of a diverse BRICS membership that fosters cooperation across emerging markets while reinforcing shared diplomatic principles.
Championing the Global South: India’s Vision for Inclusive Development
India’s role within BRICS underscores its vision to lead the Global South, advocating for emerging economies to have greater influence globally. Jaishankar highlighted BRICS as a vehicle to reduce reliance on Western-centric systems, empowering the Global South through independent cooperation. Erik Solheim echoed this vision, remarking, “BRICS is rapidly becoming the voice of the Global South.”
India’s advocacy aligns with its democratic principles and non-aligned position, garnering it substantial trust among developing nations. Through BRICS, India promotes a balanced, inclusive world order, striving to fulfill its goal of becoming a global leader or “Vishwa Guru.”
16th BRICS Summit in Kazan: Key Initiatives and Outcomes
The Kazan Summit outlined several initiatives reinforcing BRICS’s role as an alternative to Western-centric frameworks. Notable outcomes include:
- Strengthening Economic Ties: BRICS leaders stressed economic resilience and called for reducing dependency on Western economies. Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated for a “new world order,” emphasizing economic sovereignty.
- Multilateralism and Global Governance: The summit emphasized multilateralism, with BRICS leaders seeking to amplify the “Voice of the Global South” for fairer global governance.
- New Memberships: BRICS expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, now representing 41% of the global population and 24% of GDP, thereby increasing its political and economic influence.
- Security and Counter-Terrorism Initiatives: The Kazan Declaration addressed cross-border terrorism, endorsing India’s Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) initiative. It called for swift action in listing UN-designated terrorists, underscoring the commitment to collective security and counter-terrorism among BRICS members.
- Financial Autonomy Initiatives: BRICS discussed alternatives to Western financial systems, including a cross-border payment system and enhancing the New Development Bank, aimed at reducing external financial dependence.
- Economic Cooperation and BRICS Grain Exchange: The summit welcomed the BRICS Grain Exchange initiative, which seeks to enhance food security through increased trade in agricultural commodities. This platform aims to bolster cooperation among BRICS countries to address food supply challenges.
Conclusion: India’s Strategic Mastery within BRICS
India’s involvement in BRICS showcases a balanced foreign policy that prioritizes economic autonomy, regional stability, and support for the Global South. Through diplomatic talks with China and advocating for multipolar governance, India uses BRICS to foster a balanced global order. As world dynamics evolve, India’s leadership within BRICS reflects its ascent as a key power, championing emerging economies and promoting a multipolar vision for global governance. The Kazan Summit reaffirmed BRICS’s transformative role, with India spearheading initiatives for regional cooperation, economic resilience, and diplomatic engagement, cementing its strategic rise on the international stage.
