During his visit to Russia for BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi once again roots for peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  met President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan to discuss wide ranging issues. The meeting highlighted India’s continued advocacy for peaceful resolutions to conflicts, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The BRICS summit brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to discuss global issues and solidify their collective stance on a multipolar world order. During the meeting, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stressing the importance of dialogue and peaceful solutions. This stance underscores India’s diplomatic approach of engaging with both Russia and Ukraine while maintaining its strategic autonomy. PM Modi’s message comes at a critical time when Russia is advancing on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, and global powers are grappling with the conflict’s wider implications. Modi’s call for peace aligns with India’s broader foreign policy, which seeks to mediate and foster dialogue without aligning explicitly with any one bloc. This  Summit marks a significant milestone for BRICS, as the addition of five new members, set to be formalised through the ‘Kazan Declaration’ at the conclusion of the Summit, reflects the growing importance of the bloc as an alternative forum in the shifting global power structure and a multipolar world order.

No wonder Russia has touted the BRICS Summit as a diplomatic victory, countering Western attempts to isolate Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. For India, this Summit was also an opportunity to reinforce India’s pivotal role in BRICS as it continues to advocate for multipolarity and global governance reforms. India and Russia’s relationship has been characterised as a ‘special and privileged strategic partnership,’ a sentiment echoed by President Putin, who noted that the bilateral ties continue to actively develop. While the Ukraine conflict has strained Russia’s relations with the West, India has maintained a pragmatic approach by continuing to engage with Russia on economic and strategic matters. Notably, India has emerged as a significant purchaser of Russian oil, much to the disapproval of Western countries that are attempting to limit Russia’s trade capabilities. India’s stance has remained clear: its foreign policy decisions, including energy procurement, will prioritise its national interest, particularly in securing affordable resources for its citizens. The United States remains concerned over Russia’s diplomatic manoeuvers amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit and his meeting with Putin emphasised India’s role as a mediator advocating for peaceful conflict resolution. The strengthening of the BRICS bloc and the deepening of the India-Russia partnership signify broader shifts in global dynamics toward a multipolar world. As India navigates this evolving landscape, its policy of non-alignment and focus on strategic autonomy will be crucial in maintaining balanced relations with all major powers, while advocating for peace and stability.