PM Modi diminishing BRICS+ presidency value to appease Trump, Netanyahu: Congress

Congress Slams Modi Over BRICS+ Stance

The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it calls a deliberate diminishment of India's prestigious BRICS+ presidency. According to party leaders, Modi is prioritizing personal rapport with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the expense of the grouping's global standing. This comes amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly involving US-Israel actions against Iran and subsequent regional escalations. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted India's failure to convene the 11 member countries for a collective statement, contrasting it with Brazil's decisive action during its 2025 presidency.

India assumed the BRICS+ presidency on January 1, 2026, following rotational procedures agreed upon in Brazil. The expanded group now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025, Modi promised to reshape the bloc, redefining it as "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability." He stressed a people-centric, humanity-first approach, focusing on global challenges like climate change and pandemics while pushing for reforms in institutions such as the UN Security Council.

BRICS+ Presidency: High Expectations Meet Controversy

Modi's vision for the presidency centers on four pillars: resilience in supply chains and health, innovation in digital infrastructure and AI, cooperation through reformed multilateralism, and sustainability via green finance. This builds on India's successful G20 presidency in 2023, where it championed the Global South. However, critics point to recent events as evidence of wavering commitment. In November, Modi skipped a virtual BRICS-Plus summit on the Israel-Hamas conflict, sending External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar instead, citing election campaigning in Rajasthan. India also abstained from a UN resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire, diverging from other members like China, Russia, and Brazil.

In his desire to appease President Trump and maintain his cozy relationship with Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Modi is diminishing the value and standing of the BRICS+ Presidency, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, recalling Brazil's joint statement on US-Israel assaults on Iran last year.

The controversy intensified with US and Israel offensives on Iran, including targeted assassinations, Iran's responses hitting GCC targets, and US Navy actions near India and Sri Lanka. Congress accused the government of silence on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination, labeling Modi as compromised. Government defenders, including Jaishankar, countered that decisions like allowing an Iranian ship to dock were humanitarian, with priorities on evacuating 67,000 Indians and securing energy trade.

India's Balancing Act in Global Forums

India's BRICS+ role occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop. The group held its 16th summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, discussing expansion to partner nations and Middle East issues. Modi attended that event and met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to advance Chabahar Port and North-South Corridor projects. Brazil's 2025 presidency saw joint statements on regional conflicts, setting a precedent India has not matched. Observers note India's tightrope walk: deepening Global South ties while nurturing strategic partnerships with the West and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron recently positioned India as a G7-BRICS bridge, offering collaboration opportunities.

As BRICS+ evolves, questions linger about its unity. Leaders like Xi Jinping, Putin, and Lula da Silva actively engage, with South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa hosting Middle East talks. India's presidency could elevate its influence if it navigates divergences on issues like Gaza and Iran. Yet, the Congress critique underscores domestic political battles, with opposition portraying foreign policy as overly aligned with US-Israel interests. The government maintains focus on national priorities, monitoring West Asia closely.

In summary, the Congress allegations highlight tensions in India's BRICS+ leadership, pitting its Global South ambitions against Western alignments. Modi's absence from key meetings and lack of statements fuel debate on whether strategic caution or appeasement drives decisions. As 2026 unfolds, India's actions will shape BRICS+'s multipolar aspirations and its own global stature.