The city of New Delhi is witnessing a high-profile diplomacy meeting as India welcomes the 18th BRICS Summit from September 12-13. This enlarged body consists of states that have very diverse strategic interests and therefore poses a major challenge for India to balance multiple power centers simultaneously.
The recent meeting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, on September 11 has already demonstrated the significance of two of the key aspects of India’s diplomatic policy. Narendra Modi’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and interactions with Gulf states add another dimension to this difficult balancing act. Strategic Autonomy maintaining good relations with diverse states without being a member of any one geopolitical alliance is at the core of India’s diplomacy policy.
BRICS Summit 2026: Why Is Modi’s Russia Balancing Act Important?
Russia continues to be an important ally of India in the domains of defence, energy, trade and others. During their meeting held on September 11, Modi and Putin exchanged views on cooperation in various sectors, including politics, defence, energy, space, infrastructure and skill mobility. Moreover, they also addressed how the situation in West Asia and Black Sea region affect maritime commerce and safety of Indian seafarers.
Both the leaders also deliberated on expanding the ties between the two countries and implementation of Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030. The goal of both countries is to boost bilateral trade up to $100 billion by 2030.
Another sensitive matter is Ukraine. India has continued to believe in dialogue and diplomacy as the means of resolving disputes. Modi expressed the same point of view during his meeting with Putin and indicated that India could support the process of reconciliation. India now has an opportunity to bring up its concerns to Moscow without compromising its strategic alliance.
BRICS Summit 2026: How Will Modi Manage Ties With Xi Jinping?
Of all the members of India’s BRICS partnership, China is arguably the most complex one. President Xi Jinping’s visit to New Delhi is following years of strained relations after the Galwan Valley skirmish of 2020, even as both nations are huge trading partners. The Modi-Xi meeting thus has significance on two levels – border stability between India and China and economic ties.
While India wishes to safeguard its interests in terms of security, it needs to manage its economic dependence on China in matters of manufacturing, electronics and machinery, etc. BRICS offers an opportunity to discuss things further irrespective of their differences. It was also emphasized that there needed to be more communication and cooperation between both the countries, and their differences were to be sorted out.
BRICS Summit 2026: What Did Modi Discuss With Pezeshkian On West Asia?
India and Iran are yet another significant piece of the diplomatic balancing puzzle. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on September 11. This was the second time the two men met within the space of a fortnight and Pezeshkian’s maiden trip to India.
They touched upon the latest happenings in West Asia. The Prime Minister underlined India’s stance in terms of resolution of disputes “through dialogue and diplomacy” and the significance of peace and stability in the region.
Freedom of navigation and maritime trade and the security of the mariners were also some other issues raised by Modi. It is significant for India since problems at sea routes could affect its energy security and economy. Yet another aspect of India and Iran’s relations includes Chabahar Port. Chabahar Port is significant from the point of view of India’s connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
BRICS Summit 2026: Why Does The Gulf Matter To India?
The diplomacy of India is not restricted to just China, Russia, and Iran. The Gulf region also matters to India since it has economic and strategic ties with states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is present at the summit while Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in New Delhi.
Energy resources, investments, trade, migrant labor, military coordination and connectivity are all associated with the Gulf for India. At the same time, since India has relations with Iran, India must keep lines of communication open with the countries that have conflicting interests in West Asia.
BRICS Summit 2026: Can India Keep The Grouping Focused On Cooperation?
Now, the expanded group of BRICS incorporates nations that differ greatly in their opinions and perspectives regarding global conflict, trade, security, and the global financial system.
India, as the current president of BRICS, tried to concentrate on practical cooperation within the areas of resilience, innovation, trade, technology, energy, finance, and the interests of the Global South. In addition, the summit will take place against the background of the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
In addition, there is talk of increased use of national currencies and improved financial mechanisms in BRICS countries. Modi, Putin, and Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of closer economic cooperation and safe trade routes.
However, New Delhi’s policy is not aimed at opposing the West only. India has a close economic and strategic partnership with such Western countries as the USA and Europe.
BRICS Summit 2026: What Is India’s Big Diplomatic Challenge?
India’s challenge is to keep all these relationships moving at the same time. Russia is significant for defense, energy, and strategic collaboration. China is a big economic player and a key competitor in Asia. Iran is important for West Asian diplomacy and connectivity, and also access to Central Asia. The Saudi Arabia and the UAE are very important for energy, investments, trade and regional connectivity.
And thus India needs to sustain all these relationships without letting one partnership interfere with another.
This is the core of India’s balancing act in BRICS: India is not forced to make a choice between Russia, China, Iran, and the Gulf countries; rather, India is trying to have good relations with all of them and put its own interests first.
As the two-day BRICS summit moves forward, the critical issue will be India’s ability to turn all its diplomatic efforts into concrete achievements.
