Congress leader asks what India has actually gained from recent BRICS meetings as political debate intensifies ahead of Delhi summit
NEW DELHI: GTNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026; A fresh political controversy has erupted over the BRICS platform, with senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram questioning the tangible benefits India has secured from recent meetings of the grouping.
Chidambaram reportedly said he had not seen significant outcomes for India from the last two or three BRICS meetings and questioned the benefits of India’s participation in several multilateral groupings, including BRICS, SCO, G20 and QUAD.
BJP challenges Congress criticism
The remarks triggered a sharp political response from the BJP, which defended India’s active role in BRICS.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari argued that BRICS has created economic opportunities for India and highlighted the expansion of the grouping and its growing global economic weight.
The political exchange comes just days before India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. India is the BRICS chair for 2026, with the summit being held at Bharat Mandapam.
Why BRICS matters to India
BRICS has expanded considerably in recent years and now brings together major emerging economies from different regions. Under India’s 2026 chairship, the agenda includes resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, with discussions expected across areas such as trade, technology, energy, finance and development.
The grouping’s growing economic significance is also accompanied by internal differences. India has generally sought a pragmatic BRICS agenda focused on economic cooperation and the interests of the Global South, while some members favour a more explicitly geopolitical role for the bloc.
Political debate before major summit
With Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping among the leaders expected in New Delhi, the summit carries substantial diplomatic importance for India.
The Congress-BJP dispute therefore comes at a politically significant moment: while the government is showcasing BRICS as an important platform for India’s global engagement, the opposition is questioning whether participation has translated into measurable national gains.
The central question emerging from the debate is not whether BRICS is influential, but how effectively India can convert its leadership of the expanded grouping into concrete economic, diplomatic and strategic outcomes.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026