Modi likely to attend BRICS summit in Brazil next month; meet closely watched by U.S. govt., Pg10

PM Modi is expected to attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2025.

The summit will be attended by leaders of **BRICS-11**, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia.
The U.S. is closely monitoring the summit, viewing BRICS as a counterweight to the G7.
Discussions on alternative currencies for trade could reignite “de-dollarisation” debates.
Joint BRICS stance on cross-border terrorism may carry diplomatic weight for India.

Detailed Insights:

PM Modi’s participation in the upcoming BRICS Summit is geopolitically significant amid renewed India-Pakistan tensions and Operation Sindoor.

India aims to **use BRICS as a platform to highlight concerns over cross-border terrorism and influence joint declarations**.
The U.S. is concerned about BRICS’ push for trade in national currencies, which could challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
The “Rio Reset” narrative, promoted by Western think tanks, frames BRICS as a rising voice for the Global South, aiming to reshape global governance.

Key Concepts Involved:

De-dollarisation: A process by which countries reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade and finance.

**BRICS-11:** Expanded grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa plus new members like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia.

Mains Mock Question:

“Discuss the strategic implications of India’s participation in BRICS amid rising U.S.-China tensions. How can India balance its role in both BRICS and its strategic partnership with the U.S.?”