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Introduction

At the recent BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio, member countries now 11 strong with additions like Iran, UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia issued the Rio Declaration calling for reform of global institutions and enhanced financial cooperation. India’s approach exemplifies a strategic balancing act, championing Global South unity and reform, while maintaining constructive ties with the West.

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India’s Role in BRICS 2025

• Champion of Global South Representation: India advocates for reforming global institutions like the UNSC and IMF to reflect the interests of emerging economies.
• Push for Economic Multipolarity: India supports initiatives like trading in local currencies and strengthening the New Development Bank to promote ‘de-dollarisation’.
• Advocate for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth: India backs climate justice, women’s digital inclusion, and AI and green tech cooperation as reflected in the BRICS Rio Declaration 2025.
• Support for Energy and Mineral Cooperation: With the inclusion of oil- and mineral-rich new members (like Iran, UAE), India seeks diversified partnerships for critical supply chains.
• Digital and Infrastructure Leadership: India promotes South-South cooperation in digital public goods, fintech, and infrastructure finance under BRICS frameworks.

Balancing Ties with the West

• Strategic Tech & Trade Engagement: India’s trade with the U.S. touched ~$130 billion in 2024, and partnerships in semiconductors and renewable energy remain crucial.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Defence agreements with the U.S., France, and Quad nations counterbalance India’s engagements within BRICS.
• Cautious Stance on China: Border tensions and economic dependence on China shape India’s efforts to prevent BRICS from becoming anti-West or China-led.
• Geopolitical Prudence in Bloc Expansion: India remains wary of the entry of nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia, ensuring BRICS expansion aligns with its balanced foreign policy.
• Pragmatism in Global Governance: India uses BRICS to push multipolarity without ideological posturing, aligning developmental needs with rules-based global order.

Conclusion

India’s posture at BRICS 2025 reflects a delicate equilibrium, advocating for Global South empowerment and institutional reform, while actively maintaining strategic partnerships with Western democracies. As chair in 2026, New Delhi’s success will depend on effectively enabling BRICS to function as a practical engine of development, not an ideological rival bolstering India’s vision of a multipolar yet globally integrated world.

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