Congress Urges Modi Government to Restore India’s Diplomatic Standing at BRICS Summit

The Congress on Saturday called on the Narendra Modi government to strengthen India’s diplomatic position and rebuild confidence with countries across the Global South during the 18th BRICS Summit.

The party said India should use the summit to demonstrate that it remains a reliable and constructive partner, particularly during periods of international conflict and uncertainty.

Congress also raised concerns over what it described as the perceived endorsement of attacks against Iran, a member of the BRICS grouping. It urged the government to take steps to address such concerns and strengthen trust among partner countries.

The party further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a press conference and brief the country on the discussions and decisions reached during the summit.

Salman Khurshid, head of the Congress Foreign Affairs Department and a former Union minister, alleged that the government had played a limited diplomatic role during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Khurshid also accused the government of failing to build consensus among BRICS members and said India should make greater efforts to bring member countries together.

He said India’s position as a voice for the Global South should be backed by meaningful diplomatic action. According to him, India needs to regain the diplomatic influence and standing it has built over decades.

Khurshid urged the government to use the BRICS platform to promote cooperation among member countries without allowing the grouping to become divided along geopolitical lines.

He also called for deeper cooperation between developing countries and said BRICS should play a stabilising role amid growing international tensions.

The Congress leader said India should push for reforms in global institutions while showing that strategic autonomy can work alongside meaningful multilateral engagement.

He argued that India must protect its national interests while also standing with countries seeking a fairer international system. He said this would allow India to act as a trusted bridge between the Global South and Global North.

Khurshid also highlighted India’s economic relationship with BRICS countries. He said the grouping accounts for 19.6 percent of global merchandise trade, while India’s trade with BRICS remains significantly imbalanced.

He welcomed progress on the proposed BRICS Pay system but said India should use its BRICS chairship to seek better access for Indian products and services in member countries.

He also called for the removal of non tariff barriers and the creation of fair and predictable conditions for Indian businesses operating in BRICS markets.

According to Khurshid, BRICS members should also work towards stronger supply chain cooperation and better connectivity. He called for efforts to make the Contingent Reserve Arrangement operational, noting that India has committed USD 18 billion to the mechanism established in 2014.

He also urged the government to follow through on commitments made during India’s previous BRICS chairmanship in 2021, including efforts to secure support for India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

Khurshid said the Congress welcomed the growing importance of BRICS as a platform for representing the interests of the Global South and influencing international affairs.

He said India should work with its BRICS partners to promote a more balanced global order at a time when the world is facing geopolitical tensions, economic pressure, supply chain disruptions, conflicts and climate related challenges.

Referring to the approach of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Khurshid said India should provide moral leadership and strategic clarity within BRICS while keeping the country’s national interests at the centre of its foreign policy.

He said India’s diplomatic approach should balance support for a rules based international order, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful coexistence and human dignity with the country’s growing strategic and economic influence.

Khurshid pointed to several historical examples of India’s diplomatic role, including its position during the Korean War, its engagement on West Asian issues, opposition to apartheid in South Africa, support for decolonisation and calls for reforms in global governance.

He argued that these efforts by successive Indian governments since independence helped establish the country’s reputation as an important voice for the Global South.