India's Global Playbook

As the latest BRICS summit kicks off in the Russian city of Kazan, global attention turns to the role of this expanded bloc in shaping the future of international geopolitics and economics. With the admission of new members and the inclusion of diverse voices, this year’s summit takes on added significance, especially for India, whose influence within the group is increasingly being recognized. India’s strategic autonomy—a foreign policy that deftly balances relations with multiple power centers—has made it not only a pivotal player in BRICS but also a model for other nations navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics.

India’s participation in BRICS, from its inception to its current phase of expansion, reflects its long-standing commitment to a multipolar world order. In this context, BRICS is more than just a grouping of five major emerging economies; it is a platform where India can assert its influence, shape global governance, and engage in strategic cooperation with key global players while maintaining its independent foreign policy. With BRICS now considering partner countries from North Africa to Southeast Asia, India’s role as a stabilizing and moderating force is more critical than ever.

India’s Influence in Expansion

The BRICS bloc—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—was initially formed to provide an alternative voice in global governance, especially in forums like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. As the organization has grown, its influence has expanded to include new members, reflecting the evolving multipolar world order. This year’s summit in Kazan marks the first meeting of an expanded BRICS, with potential new members signalling a shift in global dynamics.

India’s influence in shaping this expansion has been profound. Every country admitted into BRICS this year was on India’s recommendation, showcasing its growing diplomatic clout within the bloc. While other BRICS members brought their own wish lists of potential candidates, none of them had the same success in getting their choices approved. India’s ability to balance regional representation and ensure that BRICS does not tilt too heavily toward any particular ideology or geopolitical agenda underscores its role as a stabilizing force within the group.

In particular, India’s diplomacy has sought to maintain balance within BRICS, ensuring that the bloc’s expansion does not lead to polarization or alignment with any specific global power. For instance, India advocated for the inclusion of multiple candidates from West Asia, preempting any shift that might enmesh BRICS in regional rivalries or destabilize its mission. This approach reflects India’s broader foreign policy strategy of maintaining strategic autonomy, resisting alignment with any single power bloc, and acting as a bridge between competing interests.

BRICS as a Platform for Strategic Autonomy

India’s role in BRICS exemplifies its broader foreign policy philosophy of multi-alignment, where the country seeks to engage with multiple power centers without being beholden to any one. This approach has allowed India to simultaneously strengthen its partnerships with the West, stand firm against China, and maintain a pragmatic relationship with Russia. At the same time, India has deepened its engagement with the Global South, reinvesting heavily in Africa and championing the causes of developing nations in international forums.

BRICS has become a core pillar of India’s multi-alignment strategy. While membership in BRICS may not be the root cause of India’s strategic autonomy, it is undoubtedly a symbol of it. By participating in BRICS, India showcases its ability to navigate the complex and often conflicting demands of global diplomacy. India’s dexterity in balancing these relationships is admired by other nations looking to replicate its success. For many of the new members joining BRICS, India’s foreign policy offers a model of how to maintain independence while benefiting from strategic partnerships with major global powers.

Sailing through Complex Relationships

India’s position within BRICS is particularly noteworthy in the context of its relationship with Russia. Despite Western sanctions and pressure to distance itself from Moscow following the Ukraine conflict, India has maintained a pragmatic and transactional relationship with Russia. This is most evident in the energy sector, where India’s crude oil imports from Russia have surged. In 2021-22, bilateral trade between India and Russia amounted to $13.2 billion, with crude oil imports accounting for $9.9 billion. By 2023-24, this figure had ballooned to $65.7 billion, with crude oil imports alone touching $55 billion.

However, India’s increased reliance on Russian energy imports must be contextualized within its broader economic strategy. India is not merely a passive buyer of Russian crude; it is also a refining superpower. India’s advanced oil refineries, both privately and government-owned, are capable of processing a wide variety of crude oil types, allowing the country to purchase Russian crude under price caps and export refined products to global markets, including the West. This capability has allowed India to play a unique role in stabilizing global energy markets, even as it capitalizes on discounted Russian crude.

India’s refining power sets it apart from other BRICS countries, many of which lack the infrastructure and capacity to process and export refined oil products. As a result, India’s relationship with Russia in the energy sector is unlikely to serve as a direct template for other BRICS nations. While other countries may look to increase their trade with Russia, India’s specific advantages—its refining capacity and its ability to balance relationships with both the West and Russia—mean that its approach is not easily replicable.

Moreover, India’s corporate sector remains cautious about engaging too deeply with Russia while Western sanctions remain in place. With significant exposure to Western markets and financial institutions, major Indian conglomerates are wary of crossing the line into sanctions territory. This pragmatic approach reflects the delicate balancing act that India must maintain as it pursues its national interests within the framework of BRICS.

Global South Diplomacy

India’s role in BRICS also extends beyond its relationships with major powers like Russia and China. As the Global South gains increasing prominence in global affairs, India’s leadership within BRICS positions it as a natural representative of developing nations. India’s long-standing commitment to issues like climate justice, developmental finance, and sustainable growth resonates with the needs and aspirations of many countries in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

India’s advocacy for equitable global governance and its efforts to provide developmental assistance to poorer nations within BRICS have strengthened its position as a leader in the Global South. For many countries looking to join BRICS, India’s balanced approach offers a path toward greater global influence without being caught in the crosshairs of great power rivalries. India’s emphasis on maintaining a multipolar world order, where no single power dominates, is an attractive proposition for nations seeking to maintain their sovereignty while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy.

This leadership is evident in India’s push to ensure that BRICS remains inclusive and geographically diverse. During the expansion process, India advocated for a broad-based membership that includes countries from Africa, South America, and Asia, reflecting its commitment to a global order where all voices are heard. This approach aligns with India’s broader strategy of engaging with the Global South and positioning itself as a voice for the developing world.

BRICS and the Future of India’s Strategic Autonomy

As BRICS continues to evolve, India’s role within the bloc will remain a key element of its foreign policy strategy. The challenges and opportunities that BRICS presents will test India’s ability to maintain its strategic autonomy while engaging with competing powers. However, India’s success in navigating the complexities of the BRICS expansion, its relationship with Russia, and its leadership within the Global South suggest that it is well-positioned to continue playing a pivotal role in the group.

In the coming years, India’s ability to shape the future direction of BRICS will depend on its continued diplomatic dexterity and economic resilience. As China seeks to expand its influence within BRICS, India’s role as a moderating force will become even more important. India’s ability to prevent BRICS from becoming an instrument of great power competition will be critical to its success in maintaining the bloc’s relevance and inclusivity.

At the same time, India’s multi-alignment strategy will be closely watched by other nations, many of which are seeking to balance their relationships with the West, China, and Russia. India’s experience within BRICS offers valuable lessons on how to navigate the complexities of a multipolar world, maintain sovereignty, and pursue national interests without becoming ensnared in great power rivalries.

Conclusion

India’s role in BRICS is a reflection of its broader foreign policy of strategic autonomy. By maintaining a balanced approach to global diplomacy, India has positioned itself as a leader within the BRICS bloc, advocating for an inclusive and multipolar world order. As the group expands and new members join, India’s influence will continue to shape the future direction of BRICS, ensuring that it remains a platform for cooperation rather than competition.

In the face of global uncertainty, India’s strategic autonomy—its ability to engage with diverse power centres while maintaining its independence—serves as both a model for other nations and a core pillar of its foreign policy. BRICS, as a symbol of this autonomy, will continue to be a critical platform for India as it navigates the challenges of the 21st-century geopolitical landscape.