India’s Strategic Balancing Act
At the recent BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on one of his most complex foreign policy challenges yet, aiming to assert India’s status as an "indispensable" power. BRICS offers India a crucial platform to balance relationships between the West and non-Western powers. By navigating this intricate alliance, India seeks not only to diversify its global partnerships but also to secure a leading role within an evolving multipolar order.
India-China Dynamics: A Measured Equilibrium
A central element of India’s BRICS agenda involved recalibrating its relationship with China. Modi’s cautious dialogue with Xi Jinping at the summit highlighted both countries’ tentative steps toward disengagement along the contested Line of Actual Control. While this dialogue hints at a potential thaw, substantial trust-building remains distant as India remains vigilant, particularly with Chinese activities in Doklam and Arunachal Pradesh, which serve as indicators of Beijing’s broader regional ambitions. Although a complete military de-escalation may be far off, even incremental progress between India and China is significant within the BRICS context.
Expanding Commercial Influence
India used the BRICS platform to showcase its growing role in global commerce and diplomacy. Key investments in Iran’s Chabahar port and Israel’s Haifa port exemplify India’s approach to balancing competing interests and managing regional contradictions. While India supported Azerbaijan’s inclusion in BRICS, future challenges loom, including China’s likely advocacy for Pakistan’s membership. Should this scenario arise, India may approach it as a potential moderating maneuver while tactically delaying such an entry.
Economic Stature within BRICS
India’s economic power in BRICS is evident, especially as a major purchaser of Russian oil, where it plays a vital role in refining crude for sale to Europe and the U.S. With a GDP exceeding $4 trillion and a growth rate of 7 percent, India’s economic growth is fundamental to its ambitions on the global stage. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding significant trade imbalances with both China and Russia. These economic disparities require attention
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