New Delhi / Brasília:

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at a virtual BRICS leaders’ summit hosted by Brazil on 8 September 2025. The meeting, called by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, will focus on rising U.S. tariffs impacting India and Brazil, and aims to rally emerging economies in support of multilateral trade.

Summit agenda and India’s position

The summit will tackle punitive tariffs recently imposed by the U.S., including a 50% duty on Indian imports tied to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Brazil has also been targeted with steep tariffs on products such as coffee. India has condemned these moves as unjustified and detrimental to multilateralism.

Diplomatic context

India’s participation highlights a delicate balancing act amid strained U.S. relations. The summit comes after a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Modi, President Xi Jinping, and President Putin at the SCO Summit, signalling India’s evolving geopolitical alignment.

Strategic implications

  • Collective response: The BRICS summit is intended as a coordinated countermeasure to Washington’s aggressive tariff strategy.

  • Multilateral emphasis: Brazil is positioning the forum as a platform to uphold global trade norms and resist economic coercion.

  • India’s diplomacy: Jaishankar’s involvement reflects India’s push to defend strategic autonomy while maintaining engagement with both Western and global South blocs.