Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit is seen as a pivotal moment in India’s foreign policy, emphasizing the country’s commitment to multilateralism and economic cooperation. Modi’s visit, scheduled for two days in the city of Kazan, builds upon the annual India-Russia Summit held in July 2024 in Moscow. His presence at this high-profile event also reinforces India’s strategic partnership with Russia, a relationship marked by decades of close cooperation in defense, energy, and geopolitics.
Modi’s departure statement highlighted India’s appreciation for BRICS as an important platform for addressing pressing global issues, including economic cooperation, climate change, building resilient supply chains, and promoting cultural exchanges. He underscored BRICS’s role in pushing for reformed multilateralism, a concept that aligns with India’s broader global ambitions of reshaping international institutions to reflect the interests of developing countries. India’s position within the group has been integral, particularly as BRICS has expanded its membership, signaling greater inclusivity and influence on the world stage.
The expansion of BRICS in 2023 to include countries like Iran, Egypt, and the UAE further enhances the group’s relevance. India has consistently advocated for broadening the bloc’s membership to increase its global outreach, and Modi reiterated that this inclusivity is critical to BRICS’s agenda for the “global good.” As BRICS nations together account for over 41% of the world’s population and 24% of global GDP, the grouping’s influence cannot be understated, and Modi’s leadership within it is poised to strengthen India’s role in shaping the emerging global order.
One of the key aspects of Modi’s visit to Russia is the potential for bilateral meetings with world leaders, most notably Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Modi’s meeting with Putin is expected to focus on reviewing the outcomes of their earlier summit in July and discussing future areas of cooperation. Given Russia’s increasingly strained relations with the West due to the war in Ukraine, Modi’s diplomatic engagement with Putin is seen as crucial in ensuring that India-Russia ties remain robust.
India has sought to navigate the delicate balance of maintaining relations with Russia while expressing concerns about the Ukraine conflict. Modi has previously called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war, and discussions between him and Putin are likely to touch on India’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, including recent contacts between Indian and Ukrainian officials. India’s approach to the war has been marked by a desire to maintain strategic autonomy, avoiding direct involvement while continuing its cooperation with Russia.
Modi’s potential bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is also of particular interest. The announcement that India and China have reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) raises the possibility of further dialogue between the two leaders. This comes after the prolonged military standoff between India and China that began in 2020, which severely strained relations following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes. The agreement to disengage troops is a positive step, and Modi’s interactions with Xi could further de-escalate tensions and open the door for more constructive engagement.
India’s balancing act between China and Russia within BRICS has always been a complex one. While India shares a strategic rivalry with China, particularly over territorial disputes and influence in the Indo-Pacific, it also recognizes the importance of cooperation within multilateral forums like BRICS. Modi’s participation in the summit is therefore seen as an effort to assert India’s leadership role while maintaining its independent foreign policy, especially as global power dynamics shift.
Additionally, Modi’s attendance at the BRICS summit comes at a time when India is increasingly asserting itself on the global stage, having hosted the G20 Summit earlier in the year. India’s emphasis on reformed multilateralism, building resilient global supply chains, and advocating for the Global South resonates with BRICS’s broader objectives. This alignment is expected to drive India’s agenda at the summit, with a focus on enhancing economic cooperation among member states, especially in trade settlements using national currencies—a crucial area as nations seek alternatives to the U.S. dollar-dominated financial system.
The Ministry of External Affairs has highlighted that the summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,” will offer a platform for leaders to review the progress of BRICS initiatives and explore new areas for collaboration. Modi’s visit to Kazan will provide an opportunity to strengthen not only India’s bilateral ties with Russia but also to engage with other emerging economies in the BRICS framework.
The strategic partnership between India and Russia remains a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reaffirmed this, noting that Russia has consistently supported India’s interests and that the two nations have shared a historically strong relationship. Modi’s visit will further consolidate this partnership, with discussions expected to cover a broad range of issues, from defense cooperation to energy security and geopolitical stability.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit is a critical juncture in India’s foreign policy, reinforcing the country’s commitment to multilateralism and strategic partnerships. As the bloc continues to expand its global influence, India’s role within BRICS will be pivotal in shaping the future of international relations, particularly among emerging economies. The outcomes of this summit could set the stage for deeper economic and political cooperation between BRICS nations, with India playing a leading role in fostering inclusive growth and reformed global governance.