On September 11, 2026, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his views on India’s role in the upcoming BRICS Summit, asserting that hosting the event offers significant diplomatic value. He noted that the summit presents an opportunity for India to enhance its engagement with the Global South. Tharoor maintained that the gathering of global leaders underscores India’s diplomatic capabilities and elevates its standing on the world stage.

In his remarks, Tharoor underlined that the 11 BRICS nations, which comprise a considerable portion of the global population and economic output, represent key players in the Global South. He articulated that this group notably constitutes approximately 41 per cent of the world’s GDP, emphasising the importance of the coalition within the context of global diplomacy.

Tharoor’s comments come amidst criticisms from his party colleague, P Chidambaram, who questioned the tangible benefits that India has derived from its participation in BRICS and other multilateral frameworks. Tharoor emphasized the importance of the summit as a collaborative platform, bringing together diverse perspectives from various nations, which can strengthen India’s influence in the geopolitical arena.

Chidambaram Questions the Effectiveness of Recent BRICS Summits

In contrast to Tharoor’s optimistic view, P Chidambaram raised concerns regarding the efficacy of recent BRICS summits. He articulated that the gatherings have not yielded any discernible advantages for India, stating that he has not observed tangible results from the last two or three meetings. Chidambaram specifically questioned the benefits of India’s BRICS membership alongside its involvement in other significant multilateral entities, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the QUAD.

Chidambaram’s remarks prompted reactions from the BJP, which accused the Congress of undermining India’s achievements on the global stage. BJP leaders highlighted that Tharoor’s views contradicted the negative narrative posited by Chidambaram. This situation illustrates the differing perspectives within the Congress party regarding India’s strategic partnerships and achievements in international relations.

Moreover, Chidambaram’s critique also included a retrospective view on the outcomes of BRICS summits, pointing out that the only significant achievement he recognized was the establishment of the New Development Bank during his tenure as finance minister. He noted that subsequent meetings have largely been characterised by grand declarations rather than actionable results.

Diverging Views on Tangible Outcomes and Future Prospects

Despite acknowledging Chidambaram’s points regarding the limited tangible outcomes from recent BRICS interactions, Tharoor argued that diplomatic success cannot solely be measured by immediate benefits. He suggested that multilateral platforms, such as BRICS, could yield broader strategic advantages, facilitating connections and cooperation among participating countries.

Tharoor also discussed the potential of BRICS to assist India in diversifying its export markets, especially amidst increasing uncertainties regarding its relationship with the United States. He cited a law enacted during the Trump administration that could impose significant sanctions on India if it continues trading with Russia, emphasising the need for India to strategically assess its international partnerships.

In light of these discussions, the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit is expected to take place on September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. With contrasting viewpoints from within the Congress party and differing interpretations from opposition leaders, the summit will undoubtedly be a focal point of both diplomatic and political discussions across India and the globe.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share