Summary of Key Points
This news article discusses India's choice of diplomatic platforms, highlighting the different implications of the Quad Security Dialogue and the BRICS Summit for India. During the Trump administration, relations between the U.S. and India became strained, leading to a decline in the significance of the Quad, where India often played a secondary role as a Western-led partner. In contrast, the BRICS Summit, as a forum for developing countries, provided India with a sense of ownership and a real platform to voice its interests, making it a more favored diplomatic venue for India today.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Quad: From Promising Diplomacy to Disappointment
Under the Biden administration, the Quad was a key diplomatic initiative for India. The U.S. sought India's cooperation to counter China in the Indian Ocean and included Japan and Australia in the partnership, hosting two leadership summits (2021 in Washington and 2022 in Tokyo). However, during Trump's tenure, U.S.-India relations deteriorated, and the Quad summit plans fell through. In 2025, a Japanese expert observed that trust in Trump among Indian elites was irreparable. Although a foreign ministers' meeting of the Quad was held in 2026, there were no plans for a leadership summit, and Japan even doubted whether it would take place within the year, focusing instead on independent diplomatic efforts with India. In short, the success of the Quad depended entirely on the U.S.; with Trump's rise to power, the initiative effectively came to an halt.
2. India's Role in the Quad: Important on Paper, but Not in Reality
Although the Quad officially includes India as a core member, India has little real influence. For example, India was supposed to host the 2024 summit, but it was moved to the U.S. due to Biden's presidential elections and his desire to hold a farewell event in his home state of Delaware. The decision on whether to hold the summit, where to host it, and what the agenda would be were all made by the U.S. This situation reflects India's limited role in such Western-led initiatives.
3. The BRICS Summit: India's True Home Ground
Unlike Western platforms, the BRICS is a forum for developing countries (with 11 official members and guest countries). At the 2026 summit, India had significant decision-making power, as it was hosted in New Delhi. Unlike the Quad, where India follows the U.S.'s lead, the BRICS allows India to play a more active role in setting rules and shaping the agenda. Modi previously attended Western events but realized their limited significance; now, he places greater emphasis on the BRICS because it offers India a true platform to assert its leadership.
4. The Current State of the BRICS: Great Potential, but Limited Resources
Despite its large scale (with many guest countries attending the 2025 summit in Brazil), the BRICS faces challenges in coordination and funding:
- Lack of Funds: The BRICS New Development Bank disburses only $5 billion annually, which is one-tenth of what the World Bank does. Major donors like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are either not members or hold minor stakes, limiting its impact.
- Internal Competition: There is competition among member countries for dominance in international payment systems (e.g., China's CIPS and Russia's SPFS, which are less widespread than SWIFT).
- Limited Progress: The BRICS focuses on foundational efforts such as system integration and standardization, lacking the cohesive momentum of organizations like the G7.
5. India's Diplomatic Shift: From Secondary to Primary Player
Trump's policies hurt India's pride, as Western platforms treated it as a subordinate partner with little say. In contrast, organizations like the BRICS offer India equal participation and leadership opportunities. This realization has led India to prioritize partnerships with developing countries.
Conclusion
This article highlights that India has found a way to assert its diplomatic presence: while Western platforms may seem prestigious, they provide limited influence. Developing-country organizations, such as the BRICS, allow India to take a more proactive role in shaping its own destiny. The decline of the Quad and the rise of the BRICS reflect India's shift from relying on the West to pursuing greater autonomy in its foreign policy.