Trump shadow looms large over Brics as Modi hosts Putin and Xi in Delhi - BBC

**Delhi, India –** On 22 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to New Delhi for a high‑profile gathering that doubled as a pre‑summit meeting ahead of the BRICS leaders’ summit later this year. The three‑day visit, staged at the sprawling Bharat Mandapam exhibition complex, featured bilateral talks on trade, energy cooperation and regional security, while India showcased its growing stature within the bloc with a record deployment of more than 100 sniffer dogs and other security assets to safeguard the venue and adjoining hotels. Indian officials emphasized the country’s evolution from a “least attractive” partner—an assessment from early BRICS dialogues—to one of the bloc’s most reliable members, citing recent investments in infrastructure, digital finance and defence collaboration.

While the diplomatic choreography in Delhi unfolded under a bright Indian summer, an unmistakable undercurrent from the United States loomed over the proceedings. Former President Donald Trump, who is campaigning for a 2024 comeback, has repeatedly framed BRICS as a “political club” that threatens U.S. interests, while simultaneously hinting at a pragmatic re‑engagement with the group’s members if it serves American business. His remarks—ranging from calls for “fair competition” with China to a willingness to “talk to Russia” on trade—have been echoed by senior GOP advisers who argue that a hard‑line stance could push India and other BRICS nations closer together. Analysts note that Trump’s rhetoric is shaping the strategic calculations of both New Delhi and Washington, as India seeks to balance its deepening ties with Beijing and Moscow against a partnership with the United States that remains vital for technology, defence and investment.

The convergence of these dynamics is reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Indo‑Pacific. With India positioning itself as a bridge between the West and the emerging BRICS axis, the upcoming summit will test whether the bloc can present a cohesive front on issues such as supply‑chain diversification, climate finance and the reform of global institutions. At the same time, the United States—watching Trump’s campaign signals—faces the challenge of engaging India without alienating its own political base. The outcome of Modi’s talks with Putin and Xi will therefore carry weight far beyond the ceremonial welcome, potentially influencing trade routes, security pacts and the balance of power in a world where the shadow of a former U.S. president still stretches across continents.