Global mediator in the making: India's strategic role between BRICS and G7

PTC News Desk: India's participation in BRICS highlights its special place in global politics. It skillfully maintains its relationships with China, Russia, and developing countries while keeping strong links with big Western countries such as the G7, except Canada. 

What differentiates India is its ability to communicate with all these groups without drawing significant criticism from the West. This makes India an important player in global diplomacy, helping to bridge the gap between opposing viewpoints.

The recent BRICS conference in Kazan, Russia, highlighted India's unique position in global affairs. During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other leaders, emphasising India's commitment to promoting global peace and stability. The summit highlighted India's significant role on the global scene. Ian Bremmer, a well-known global political expert, has also lauded India for its leadership in the Global South and ability to maintain peaceful relations with China.

India's diplomatic efforts were fully displayed at the BRICS meeting, with Prime Minister Modi holding critical discussions with several world leaders. One of the important events was his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was notable since it marked their first formal interaction after four years of strained relations. 

This illustrates India's efforts to balance its ties on the global stage, particularly with major nations like China. This direct conversation between India and China occurred while both nations were trying to resolve a four-year-old military standoff that had seen over 30 rounds of discussions between their military commanders. It shows India's efforts to reduce tensions with its northern neighbour while also trying to act as a global mediator.

With both pro-Russia and pro-Ukraine groups appealing to New Delhi for assistance in resolving the continuing conflict, India is balancing its diplomatic responsibilities. Modi is possibly the only world leader who is greeted with equal honour and reverence in Russia and Ukraine.

At the meeting, Modi also met with Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasising India's dedication to supporting global peace. In a statement that appeared to criticise China's support for Pakistan, Modi called for an end to the double standard on terrorism. He notably criticised countries that continue to defend Pakistan, even though the country supports and exports terrorist groups that pose a threat to India.

India's active involvement in BRICS 2024 places it in a strong position to influence global economic and political incidents. This demonstrates India's significant role in defining the future of international relations and the global economy. As one of the BRICS' fastest-growing economies, India is poised to take the lead in digital technology, sustainable development, and international diplomacy.

This will allow India to make a greater impact on the world stage. The summit, with the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security," is significant for India's foreign policy. It allows India to deepen its connection with Russia, engage in dialogue with China, and participate in global governance reforms. India's special status as a non-aligned country with strong relations with both Russia and the West enables it to potentially act as a mediator in global conflicts.