Putin and Xi attend BRICS summit in India amid global conflicts

Left

The BRICS summit reflects a necessary counterweight to Western dominance in global affairs. As the US and its allies pursue hegemonic interests abroad, these nations rightly seek to build alternative structures for trade, development and security. The participation of Russia and Iran—both sanctioned by Western powers—demonstrates that the Global South will not accept unilateral Western dictates. India's diplomatic balancing act between Russia and China shows how non-aligned nations can resist pressure to choose sides in great-power competition.

Center-left

The BRICS gathering highlights growing multipolarity and the limits of Western influence, which is healthy for global balance. However, the summit also reveals internal tensions: India must carefully manage relations with both Russia and China amid border disputes and competing interests. The inclusion of Iran complicates consensus-building on major issues. While BRICS offers developing nations a needed voice on trade and development, its effectiveness depends on whether members can actually coordinate on shared interests rather than pursue narrow national agendas.

Center

BRICS represents a genuine shift in global power distribution, bringing major developing economies into strategic dialogue. India's hosting role is diplomatically delicate—it must maintain partnerships with Russia and China while managing their rivalry and addressing Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. The summit's focus on trade, energy and supply chains reflects practical concerns shared across the bloc. Success requires balancing competing interests and avoiding the appearance of anti-Western bloc-building, which could trigger backlash and undermine BRICS' stated goal of inclusive multilateralism.

Center-right

BRICS illustrates the importance of strong bilateral relationships and pragmatic partnerships based on national interest rather than ideology. India's diplomatic positioning—hosting both Russia and China, accepting Putin's Moscow invitation—shows how nations can maintain relationships across ideological lines. The focus on trade, defence and energy reflects legitimate state concerns. However, the involvement of sanctioned regimes like Russia and Iran, combined with unresolved territorial disputes between members, raises questions about whether BRICS can function as a coherent bloc or merely serves as a talking shop.

Right

BRICS represents an attempt by revisionist powers to challenge the international order and undermine Western interests. Russia, China and Iran—all hostile to liberal democracy—use these summits to coordinate strategies and legitimize authoritarian governance. India's participation risks binding it to regimes that threaten stability: China through border aggression, Russia through Ukraine, Iran through regional destabilization. India should prioritize sovereignty and security ties with democratic partners rather than lending credibility to anti-Western blocs that ultimately serve autocratic interests contrary to India's own long-term security.