India’s Balancing Act at the Brics Summit

The Brics grouping—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has become a vital platform for emerging economies to voice common concerns. 
 
 
Its role has only expanded amid global trade disruptions and shifting geopolitical rivalries. 
  
For India, Brics offers both opportunity and challenge: the chance to shape global debates while maintaining delicate ties with the West.
 
 
The latest Brics virtual summit, hosted on September 8 by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, came at a critical juncture. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted not to participate directly, instead nominating External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. 
 
The choice signalled caution as India prepares to assume the Brics presidency.

A key driver for the meeting was U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff measures. 
 
India has been hit with penalties over discounted Russian crude imports, while Brazil faces pressure on agriculture and manufacturing. 
 
These actions highlight Washington’s influence over trade flows in the Global South.
 
The timing also followed Modi’s interactions with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit, that drew unease in Washington. 
 
Trump’s remarks about America “losing India and Russia to China” underscored this concern. 
 
President Lula, however, stressed unity, not confrontation. 
 
Brazil framed Brics as a defense of multi-lateralism rather than an anti-U.S. platform.
 
India’s choice of Jaishankar reflected its nuanced strategy—remaining committed to Brics while steering clear of overt anti-Western posturing. 
 
This balancing act mirrors its broader foreign policy.
 
 
Though no major breakthroughs were expected, the summit reinforced how tariffs and protection-ism are shaping alignments. 
 
For India, the priority remains protecting economic interests while navigating an increasingly fragmented world order.