WALKING A TIGHTROPE
The larger check, nevertheless, shall be balancing the bloc’s inside politics whereas managing strain from exterior.
India should hold BRICS positioned as pro-International South, whereas participating Washington.
If India succeeds in conserving the group aligned in 2026, it might form how the International South wields affect in an more and more divided world.
A key variable in India’s presidency shall be its relationship with China.
Ties between the 2 Asian giants have proven indicators of thawing since 2024, however mistrust stays.
Complicating issues additional are Beijing’s ties with Islamabad, which New Delhi accuses of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
However specialists consider either side might put aside their variations for the bigger collective curiosity.
“I feel it’s an open secret that China’s assist for Pakistani insurance policies does create problems,” mentioned Rajiv Bhatia, distinguished fellow of the international coverage research programme at think-tank Gateway Home.
“However inside BRICS, in the case of growing widespread positions, I feel China primarily cooperates with the opposite members.”
One other headwind is the tariff regime below United States President Donald Trump, who has threatened 100 per cent duties if BRICS makes an attempt to interchange the US greenback as a reserve forex.
New Delhi is assuming the bloc’s presidency at a time when it’s also attempting to strike a commerce take care of Washington and safe tariff concessions.
“The administration and the international workplace officers within the US are usually not vocal in both their criticism or their appreciation, however they acknowledge the truth that BRICS means no hurt to America,” mentioned Dogra.
“So far as Trump is worried, he is not going to alter his views. So we’ve got to stay with that.”
