Modi Hosts Putin and Xi as BRICS Leaders Face Divisions Over US Policy
The BRICS summit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, has underscored significant internal divisions that temper any prospect of a cohesive challenge to Western foreign policy. While the bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, often presents itself as a counterweight to US-led global structures, the reality on the ground indicates a pragmatic pursuit of individual national interests.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended, with discussions ostensibly centred on economic cooperation and an alternative to the petrodollar system. However, India's own strategic engagements with the United States and the broader Western sphere complicate any unified anti-Western front. New Delhi's participation in initiatives like the Quad, alongside Washington's allies, highlights a balancing act that prioritises national security and economic growth over bloc solidarity.
Observers note that the primary driver for BRICS members remains the pursuit of economic advantage and increased geopolitical leverage, rather than a genuine commitment to dismantling the existing international order. The idea of a common currency, for instance, has gained little traction due to the complexities of implementation and differing economic priorities among members. This fragmentation suggests that while BRICS nations may voice dissent against Western hegemony, their practical actions are largely dictated by self-interest and bilateral relationships, precluding any substantial, unified defiance of Washington's long-standing economic and military architecture.
