India managed to keep the 18th BRICS Summit focused on cooperation and consensus despite geopolitical differences among major powers, while securing language that advanced its strategic interests, strengthened the voice of the Global South and condemned terrorism, including the 2025 Pahalgam attack.
Key Takeaways
- India used strategic autonomy to balance competing interests at the 18th BRICS Summit.
- New Delhi kept the grouping focused on multilateral cooperation rather than geopolitical confrontation.
- The BRICS declaration strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and rejected double standards on terrorism.
India’s strategic approach at the 18th BRICS Summit helped bridge differences among member countries and keep the grouping focused on practical multilateral cooperation, according to a report.
New Delhi sought to prevent the summit from becoming a stage for geopolitical confrontation. It also worked to avoid turning BRICS into a contest for influence between major powers such as Russia and China.
The approach allowed India to advance its broader strategic objectives while reinforcing its position as an increasingly important player in global affairs.
India’s strategic approach at BRICS
India’s strategy centred on combining strategic autonomy with what the report described as strategic de-hyphenation.
New Delhi used strategic de-hyphenation to keep BRICS discussions separate from conflicts, tensions and wider geopolitical rivalries. At the same time, it applied strategic autonomy to bring different national interests closer.
This approach also placed greater emphasis on economic issues and helped India push forward the agenda it had set for the grouping.
The report said intense negotiations behind the scenes reflected this combination of the two approaches.
Together, they helped reduce political tensions at the summit and created space for negotiations among member countries. The strategy was particularly important in bringing the Global South into the consensus-building process.
Focus on practical multilateralism
The report outlined three broad shifts that it considered important for India’s strategic autonomy to serve both national and global interests.
The first involves making multilateralism more practical. This would require India to support institutional and structural reforms in global governance rather than reinforce bloc-based politics.
The second involves promoting India’s vision for BRICS by positioning the country as a strategic enabler. Such an approach would seek to strengthen cooperation and resilience within the grouping.
The third calls for projecting India as a major global player capable of offering sustainable strategic alternatives during international crises.
The report also stressed the importance of strengthening supply-chain and economic security through diversification and greater inclusiveness.
Global South gains greater space
There had been concerns that differences among BRICS members could prevent the summit from producing a joint declaration.
India’s approach helped shift the narrative and create room for consensus, according to the report.
New Delhi sought to balance its own strategic interests with wider global concerns. It also ensured that the interests and representation of the Global South remained part of the summit process.
The report said this helped preserve the broader spirit and values of the BRICS agenda.
India had used a similar combination of strategic autonomy and de-hyphenation at the G-20 Summit three years ago. That meeting also took place against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Terrorism becomes a key diplomatic outcome
A major outcome for India was the strong language on terrorism in the BRICS declaration.
The declaration reaffirmed the grouping’s commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
It also specifically condemned the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack killed 26 people and left several others injured.
The report described the reference to the Pahalgam attack as an important diplomatic achievement for India.
The declaration also highlighted concerns over the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and the availability of safe havens.
It further endorsed a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and rejected double standards in efforts to counter the threat.
India’s wider diplomatic positioning
The report said India’s strategic autonomy helped strengthen its strategic relevance while allowing it to pursue its national interests within a broader multilateral framework.
It also cited India’s recent decision to sign the SCO declaration as another example of its diplomatic approach. The declaration reflected Iran’s position and strongly condemned military strikes on Iranian territory.
The statement also criticised unilateral economic sanctions imposed by Western countries.
India’s approach at BRICS, according to the report, therefore sought to maintain strategic flexibility while preventing geopolitical divisions from overwhelming the multilateral agenda.
The outcome allowed New Delhi to pursue its interests, accommodate diverse positions and keep the Global South central to the consensus-building process.
The report viewed this balance between strategic autonomy and de-hyphenation as a key factor behind India’s diplomatic gains at the 18th BRICS Summit.