India’s decision to send External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming virtual BRICS leaders summit has set off a swirl of speculation and diplomatic intrigue, highlighting the shifting sands of global alliances and trade pressures. As the BRICS bloc continues to expand its influence, the United States is reportedly turning up the heat, pushing India to reconsider its role in the group in exchange for trade relief. Meanwhile, other countries—like Laos—are eyeing membership, drawn by the bloc’s growing economic clout.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for a virtual BRICS summit on September 8, 2025, with a central focus on addressing U.S.-imposed tariffs and promoting multilateral cooperation. According to Dainik Bhaskar, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday that Jaishankar will represent New Delhi in the meeting, rather than Modi himself. The decision comes at a delicate moment: India is slated to assume the BRICS chair in 2026, and the country’s leadership is clearly weighing its next moves with caution.
The United States, for its part, has made no secret of its desire to see India distance itself from BRICS. U.S. Industry Minister Howard Lutnik, speaking to Bloomberg TV, outlined a trio of conditions for lifting the additional 25% tariff currently placed on Indian goods. As Lutnik put it, India must “stop buying Russian oil, distance itself from BRICS, and support the US.” He went on to say, “India could act as a bridge between Russia and China, but must either align with the dollar or America.” Lutnik also expressed optimism that India would soon enter bilateral trade talks with the U.S., suggesting that New Delhi is expected to “apologise in the next one to two months and negotiate a new deal with former President Trump under Modi’s leadership.”
These statements underscore the high stakes at play. India’s role within BRICS has long been seen as a balancing act, navigating between its own interests, the aspirations of the Global South, and the realities of global power politics. According to Dainik Bhaskar, India has repeatedly emphasized that BRICS is a platform to amplify the voice of developing nations—especially those in the Global South—and has consistently rejected any moves toward de-dollarization, a stance that puts it at odds with some of the group’s more outspoken members.
BRICS itself has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. Originally established as BRIC in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill, the bloc was created to reduce Western dominance and strengthen the voice of emerging economies. Today, BRICS boasts 11 major members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. The group’s mission remains focused on fostering economic, political, and social cooperation among developing nations, but its growing size and influence have made it a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
The 17th BRICS Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025, was a testament to the group’s expanding reach. Chaired by President Lula da Silva and themed “Inclusive and Sustainable Cooperation for the Global South,” the summit brought together leaders from BRICS countries and partner nations, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE. During the summit, Modi—attending his 12th as Prime Minister—highlighted the persistent double standards faced by Global South countries in areas such as development, resources, and security. According to Dainik Bhaskar, Modi outlined India’s vision for its upcoming presidency, emphasizing inclusivity and sustainable growth.
Looking ahead, India is set to host the 18th BRICS summit in 2026, a pivotal moment that will likely shape the group’s direction for years to come. But as the bloc’s influence grows, so too do the challenges. The United States’ recent demands illustrate the geopolitical tightrope India must walk. On one hand, the benefits of BRICS membership are clear: deeper ties with other major emerging economies, a stronger collective voice in global affairs, and opportunities to shape new rules for international cooperation. On the other, the risk of alienating the U.S.—still a crucial trade partner—cannot be ignored.
Meanwhile, BRICS’ appeal continues to widen. On September 6, 2025, Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone announced at the Russia-Laos Business Dialogue—part of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok—that Laos is “interested in becoming a BRICS member. And we are currently in the process of studying this issue.” As reported by Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti, Siphandone praised the group’s “significant results in economic growth and influence on global economic development.” His remarks echo a broader sentiment among developing nations that see BRICS as a counterweight to established Western-led institutions.
BRICS has also expanded its network of partner countries. Since January 1, 2025, Malaysia, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Uganda, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam have joined as partner countries, according to Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti. This broadening coalition reflects the group’s ambition to serve as a platform for the Global South and challenge the traditional economic and geopolitical dominance of the West.
Brazil, which currently holds the BRICS presidency, has been careful to clarify that the upcoming summit is not intended as an anti-American forum. Still, the optics of the meeting—coming at a time of heightened trade tensions and geopolitical maneuvering—are hard to ignore. Experts cited by Dainik Bhaskar argue that Modi’s absence is a signal of India’s cautious approach, particularly as it prepares for a leadership role in the group next year.
The pressure from Washington is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. As Lutnik’s comments make clear, the U.S. sees India as a pivotal player in the evolving global order—one that could tip the balance, depending on which way it leans. For India, the coming months will require deft diplomacy and a clear-eyed assessment of its own interests, both within BRICS and beyond.
As the virtual summit approaches, all eyes are on New Delhi. Will India hold firm in its commitment to BRICS, or will the lure of tariff relief and closer ties with Washington prove too tempting to resist? For now, India is keeping its cards close to the chest, sending Jaishankar to the table instead of Modi. The world, it seems, will have to wait a little longer to see which way the wind blows.