Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to skip the virtual BRICS trade summit convened by Brazil in September 2025 highlights India’s careful diplomatic balancing amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. Modi was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who used the platform to emphasize the need for fair and transparent trade practices and caution against linking trade policies with non-trade issues. The summit, which included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focused heavily on coordinated responses to U.S. tariffs that have hit several BRICS nations with duties as high as 50%, impacting global trade flows significantly.
This diplomatic posture came shortly after Modi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit alongside Xi and Putin, signaling India’s alignment within the broader Global South cooperation framework despite strained U.S.-India relations. While President Trump softened his rhetoric toward India after weeks of trade friction, Modi's absence from the BRICS meeting underlines the complexities of maintaining strategic partnerships with both the U.S. and influential BRICS members. The summit reinforced BRICS’ commitment to multilateralism and economic cooperation while carefully avoiding direct confrontation with the United States.
Modi skipped the September 2025 virtual BRICS trade summit; represented by EAM Jaishankar.
Summit addressed U.S. tariffs impacting BRICS nations, with Xi and Putin participating.
Jaishankar highlighted fair trade and warned against linking tariffs to political issues.
