National Politics Heats Up as Congress Questions India’s BRICS Gains
Indian Politics has entered a fresh debate over India’s role in international organisations after senior Congress leader P Chidambaram questioned whether the country has received sufficient benefits from its participation in BRICS and other major multilateral forums.
Chidambaram Questions BRICS Benefits
P Chidambaram recently questioned the tangible outcomes India has received from the last few BRICS meetings. He said he had not seen significant benefits emerging from the recent summits and raised broader questions about India's participation in organisations such as BRICS, SCO, G20 and QUAD.
His comments come at a politically important moment as India prepares to host the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The summit has brought increased international attention to India's diplomatic and economic role within the expanded BRICS grouping.
BJP Hits Back at Congress
The BJP has strongly rejected Chidambaram's criticism and defended the Narendra Modi government's international engagement.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari argued that India's participation in BRICS has contributed to stronger economic and diplomatic opportunities. The BJP also highlighted the expanded BRICS grouping and its growing significance in the global economy.
The exchange has quickly developed into another Political War (opens in a new tab) between the ruling BJP and the Congress over India's foreign policy achievements.
BRICS Becomes a Domestic Political Issue
Foreign policy traditionally receives less attention in everyday electoral politics compared with employment, inflation and welfare. However, major international events such as the BRICS summit can become important political issues when opposition parties question the government's achievements.
For the BJP, India's growing diplomatic profile is a major part of its governance narrative. Congress, meanwhile, is seeking greater clarity over the practical economic and strategic gains India receives from participation in international organisations.
