New Delhi: India is facing a major diplomatic challenge as it hosts the 18th BRICS Summit, with leaders from countries on opposing sides of major geopolitical conflicts expected to attend.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have to balance India’s strategic ties with the United States and its strong relationships with Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin adds further weight to the summit.
The ongoing US-Iran conflict has made the situation even more sensitive. Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are directly affected by the tensions, with Gulf nations facing Iranian retaliatory strikes.
India’s recent position at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit has also added complexity. New Delhi supported a declaration condemning strikes on Iran while backing Tehran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised BRICS and warned against moves that could challenge the dollar.
India is expected to work towards a consensus that avoids portraying BRICS as an anti-Western grouping. Diplomats believe New Delhi’s experience in handling difficult multilateral negotiations could help produce a declaration acceptable to all members.
For India, the summit will be another test of its policy of maintaining strategic ties with multiple global powers without taking sides.