At a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and growing global uncertainty, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval used the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting in New Delhi to advance a broader diplomatic agenda that extended well beyond the multilateral forum itself. His engagements with counterparts from Iran, China, Brazil and Ethiopia highlighted how BRICS is increasingly serving as a platform for parallel bilateral diplomacy, enabling India to address strategic concerns, strengthen partnerships and manage complex relationships simultaneously.
BRICS Beyond Multilateral Coordination
Traditionally viewed as a grouping of major emerging economies, BRICS is increasingly evolving into a diplomatic convening space where member states can pursue bilateral engagements alongside collective discussions.
For India, this format offers a valuable opportunity to engage multiple partners under one umbrella while discussing issues ranging from terrorism and cybersecurity to digital infrastructure protection and regional stability. The latest round of meetings demonstrates how New Delhi is leveraging BRICS not merely as an economic or political bloc but as a flexible platform for advancing its wider foreign-policy objectives.
This approach allows India to maintain active channels with diverse partners whose interests do not always align, while preserving its strategic autonomy in an increasingly fragmented global order.
India–China Engagement Signals a Cautious Thaw
Among Doval’s engagements, his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi drew the greatest attention. The interaction comes after several years of strained relations between India and China, particularly following tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
The language emerging from the discussions was notably measured. References to “constructive” and “forward-looking” engagement, alongside discussions on gradual normalization, suggest that both sides are seeking to stabilize relations without overstating progress. Doval reportedly emphasized that stable, predictable and balanced ties are essential for building mutual trust.
The significance of the meeting lies not in any dramatic breakthrough but in the continuation of high-level dialogue. India’s longstanding position has been to manage competition responsibly, prevent differences from escalating into disputes and maintain communication even during periods of disagreement.
The Strategic Importance of the Iran Dialogue
Doval’s interaction with Iranian counterparts carried significance beyond bilateral relations. The discussions reportedly connected developments in West Asia with broader BRICS cooperation, underscoring the growing overlap between regional security issues and multilateral diplomacy.
For India, engagement with Iran remains important due to considerations involving energy security, regional connectivity and geopolitical stability. As New Delhi navigates a complex regional landscape shaped by sanctions, conflicts and shifting alliances, maintaining functional ties with Tehran remains a strategic necessity.
The meeting also reflected India’s preference for issue-based cooperation rather than alignment with rigid geopolitical blocs.
Why India Continues to Value BRICS
The latest engagements illustrate why India remains committed to BRICS despite internal geopolitical tensions within the grouping. The forum provides New Delhi with a unique space to shape discussions on security, development and global governance while simultaneously pursuing bilateral objectives.
By engaging partners such as China, Iran, Brazil and Ethiopia in a single diplomatic setting, India can maximize outreach, reduce diplomatic friction and reinforce its role as a bridge between different regions and interests.
Diplomacy Through Strategic Balance
Ajit Doval’s series of meetings at the BRICS NSA session reflects a broader Indian diplomatic strategy built on engagement, flexibility and strategic balance. Whether managing a cautious normalization with China, maintaining pragmatic ties with Iran or strengthening cooperation with other emerging powers, India is using BRICS as more than a multilateral platform. The larger message is clear: in an era of geopolitical fragmentation, New Delhi seeks to preserve room for dialogue, minimize strategic risks and expand its influence through calibrated and multidimensional diplomacy.
(With agency inputs)
