What Did India Gain From the BRICS Summit? Former Foreign Secretary Shashank Answers Questions

Source: नवभारत टाइम्स | Original Published At: 2026-09-21 02:59:12 UTC

Key Points

• Shashank said BRICS is fundamentally an economic cooperation platform but has increasingly addressed strategic and political issues.
• He described the summit’s expanded scope as a diplomatic success despite rising global disagreements.
• He said India and China should deepen economic cooperation while balancing trade and reducing imbalance.
• He noted that India’s energy security shapes foreign policy, with Russia and other BRICS countries relevant to oil and gas cooperation.
• He said BRICS support for UN reform and greater importance for India and Brazil could strengthen India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat.
• He highlighted India’s potential contribution in BRICS through technology, startups, AI cooperation, skills and brain power.