By Uzma Ehtasham
India’s longstanding reluctance to support Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS underscores a complex web of historical tensions, regional geopolitics, and internal ideologies that shape its foreign policy. By opposing Pakistan’s membership in an alliance like BRICS—designed to empower emerging economies—India may be missing a strategic opportunity to both stabilize South Asia and solidify its role as a leader within the developing world. At the recent BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia emerged as a vocal advocate for Pakistan’s participation, recognizing the geopolitical and economic value of such inclusion. However, India’s resistance not only blocked Pakistan’s entry but also signaled a potential strain in India’s standing as a credible advocate for economic inclusivity and regional stability. The financial opportunities within BRICS are substantial, especially with the New Development Bank’s commitment of over $35 billion in development loans for member states. Pakistan, grappling with a fragile economy and an urgent need for sustainable development, would have seen considerable benefits from this funding stream.
Such support could play a crucial role in addressing Pakistan’s developmental needs, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, energy, and healthcare. Yet, India’s veto deprived Pakistan of access to these resources, raising questions about India’s broader strategy and commitment to South Asia’s economic growth. India’s selective opposition, which also extended to Turkey and others, suggests a broader pattern. It signals a foreign policy leaning toward exclusivity rather than cooperation within regional blocs. While India’s security concerns regarding Pakistan are longstanding, sidelining Pakistan in a platform like BRICS might run counter to India’s own interest in regional peace and stability. Pakistan, if economically strengthened, could contribute to the collective resilience of South Asia, reducing instability that often spills over borders.
The Kazan summit also marked an intriguing shift in Russia-Pakistan relations. Historically, Moscow’s engagement with Islamabad has been limited, with ties often overshadowed by Russia’s close relations with India. However, with Russia openly supporting Pakistan’s BRICS bid, a new chapter of diplomatic alignment appears on the horizon. This budding rapport is likely influenced by changing dynamics, with Russia looking to diversify its partnerships in light of strained relations with the West and recognizing Pakistan as a potential ally in a multipolar world. Such alignment could prove beneficial, as both Pakistan and Russia find common ground on issues like regional trade, energy cooperation, and counterterrorism, fostering greater collaboration and potentially contributing to BRICS’s goal of south-south cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s address at the BRICS summit emphasized unity and resilience amid global economic challenges, urging BRICS nations to strengthen bonds. His remarks stand in stark contrast to India’s stance, highlighting a missed chance to actualize this vision of solidarity. BRICS, as an entity, advocates for a more balanced global economy where emerging economies have a stronger voice. India’s actions, however, appear to contradict this ethos, creating a disconnect between BRICS’s ideals and the selective approach to membership. Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Mohammad Aurangzeb, recently underscored the vast economic potential of enhanced Indo-Pakistani trade. Speaking in Washington, he pointed out that increased trade between these two nations could have transformative impacts, especially for a combined population of nearly 1.5 billion people.
By continuing to oppose Pakistan’s economic integration into frameworks like BRICS, India may inadvertently be hampering not only Pakistan’s progress but also its own potential benefits from strengthened regional trade. Aurangzeb’s vision aligns with the collaborative spirit that BRICS represents, making India’s opposition appear misaligned with the bloc’s core principles of inclusivity and economic resilience. Beyond economic cooperation, supporting Pakistan’s bid for BRICS could have served as a stepping stone for diplomatic improvement, building on recent positive gestures. India’s participation in the SCO summit in Islamabad, without invoking contentious issues, created a rare diplomatic opening. This goodwill could have extended into BRICS, potentially easing the pathway to resolve longstanding bilateral tensions and opening channels for cooperative solutions on shared issues like poverty, climate resilience, and security.
India’s decision reflects the influence of Hindutva-driven narratives in its foreign policy, which often prioritize domestic political ideologies over pragmatic regional collaboration. This political alignment has created a policy environment where antagonism toward Pakistan often overshadows the benefits of engagement. Aurangzeb’s comments further illustrate that Pakistan’s drive toward BRICS membership is rooted in practical economic reforms that resonate with BRICS’s objectives. Pakistan’s recent economic stabilization measures, acknowledged by international financial institutions, add credibility to its case for joining the bloc. Despite India’s opposition, the door may not be closed indefinitely. As global power balances shift and regional partnerships become essential in navigating an increasingly interconnected world, BRICS could find Pakistan’s participation beneficial. With Pakistan on a path of economic reform and stability, it could emerge as a key contributor to BRICS’s goal of amplifying the voices of developing nations in global governance.
(The writer is a public health professional and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
