BRICS Relevance Debated: India As Bridge Builder, China Clout, And Quest For Global South Consensus

In an interview on global diplomacy and the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid discussed India's leadership role amid geopolitical tensions. Khurshid emphasized that India must prioritize addressing internal divides among member states before seeking broader global impact, stating, "India has a very, very critical role to first patch up things as far as BRICS is concerned." He advocated for the enduring ideology of non-alignment over multi-alignment, describing the latter as "an escape." Khurshid also addressed international summits, balancing ties with the West, and preparing for global diplomatic shifts following US elections.

A special panel discusses the strategic priorities, expectations, and challenges surrounding the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India. Former Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha examines the trajectory of India-China bilateral relations following the Kazan meeting and the Galwan conflict, addressing the massive trade surplus, investment regimes, and the need for peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control. Former BRICS Sherpa Sanjay Bhattacharyya outlines India's vision for BRICS, anchored in resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, while emphasizing the grouping's role in global governance reform, technology sharing, and economic outcomes. Dmitry, representing a Russian bank in India, highlights the rapid expansion of local currency settlements and bilateral trade turnover exceeding 500 billion rupees, emphasizing reliable financial infrastructure over symbolic declarations. The panel further assesses internal contradictions within the expanded 11-member bloc, alternative payment mechanisms, and the evolving dynamics between emerging economies and Western institutions.

In an extensive interview on international geopolitics, the interviewee detailed India's diplomatic achievements and the growing significance of multinational groupings like BRICS and G20. Explaining how India facilitated consensus during the 2022 Bali and 2023 New Delhi G20 summits, the interviewee expressed optimism about securing strong outcomes at the BRICS summit despite global friction over Palestine and Ukraine. The discussion highlighted that bilateral issues between India and China, including the LAC border disputes and the over 100 billion dollar trade deficit within their 159 billion dollar trade relationship, are managed strictly through dedicated bilateral channels rather than multilateral platforms. Dismissing opposition criticism questioning the tangible benefits of BRICS, Quad, and SCO, the interviewee underscored that BRICS represents the non-Western world and major emerging economies comprising substantial global population and growth. The interviewee also addressed modern hetero polarity, cautioning against the disproportionate influence of individual financiers, non-governmental actors, and tech corporations investing hundreds of billions in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Speaking on the upcoming 18th BRICS summit hosted in New Delhi, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid shared his perspectives on India's foreign policy and global multilateral groupings. Addressing whether BRICS can bridge global political divisions, Khurshid stated that India's priority must be to bridge divides within BRICS before attempting broader mediation. He reflected on the evolution from non-alignment to multi-alignment, arguing that "multi-alignment is an escape" while classic non-alignment was a realistic national posture representing all of India rather than a single political party. Khurshid also discussed geopolitical challenges, including tensions in West Asia, emphasizing India's historical commitment to a two-state solution for Palestine and the importance of condemning wrongs while supporting just outcomes. Furthermore, he noted that expanding multilateral groupings could risk weakening consensus, underscoring the need for economic resilience, constructive engagement with global powers, and sustained dialogue across diverse international platforms.