India Navigates Global Tensions, Balancing Ties with West, Iran, and China

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is employing a complex diplomatic strategy, maintaining close ties with the West while simultaneously engaging with Iran, Russia, and China, as exemplified by the recent BRICS summit in New Delhi. Modi met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi for the second time in less than two weeks, discussing Middle Eastern developments and emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy, while also highlighting maritime security and freedom of navigation, a sensitive issue for Tehran. India's relationship with Iran is multifaceted, encompassing security, technology, and energy, alongside Iran's status as a full BRICS member. Raisi expressed a desire to revive bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, economy, and technology.

The BRICS summit itself faced challenges in presenting a united front, particularly concerning the war with Iran, with differing stances between Tehran and the UAE. Intense negotiations led to an agreement on a statement opposing unilateral wars without naming specific countries. This summit also marked Chinese President Xi Jinping's return to India after a period of strained relations following a 2024 military withdrawal agreement, with Beijing expressing a desire for strategic, long-term partnership.

India's approach mirrors the spirit of the Non-Aligned Movement, a Cold War-era initiative India helped found, aiming to avoid automatic alignment with either the US or Soviet blocs. Today, under the banner of the 'Global South,' India seeks to maintain connections with the US and Israel, procure energy from Russia, engage with Iran, and host China. Modi stressed that BRICS is not an anti-Western bloc but a framework to enhance the power of developing economies. This strategy allows India to engage with all parties, benefiting from diverse international relationships.