Shashi Tharoor stated BRICS should be non-Western but not anti-Western for India. He noted hosting BRICS offers India significant prestige and diplomatic convening power. Difficulties in India-China ties stem from one side, with China acting hostilely. India seeks more flexibility and friendship from China in bilateral relations. The BRICS Summit provides a platform for the Global South and its concerns.

This article is authored by Hriday Sarma, senior fellow, South Asia Democratic Forum, Brussels.

This article is authored by Prabhu Dayal, former ambassador, New Delhi.