India encountered a diplomatic setback during the recent BRICS summit in Brazil, where the group’s official declaration condemned the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir — but did not mention Pakistan as the perpetrator, despite India’s strong push.
According to diplomatic sources, India lobbied to include Pakistan’s name in the condemnation, attributing the incident to what it called “cross-border terrorism.” However, BRICS member states, particularly China and Russia, reportedly did not support this move, favoring a more neutral and non-confrontational language in the joint communiqué.
Significantly, Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the summit — his first absence since 2012. Diplomatic observers interpret his no-show as a clear signal of China’s unwillingness to align with India’s anti-Pakistan stance on this platform. China has consistently resisted politicizing BRICS, especially in ways that could target its close strategic ally, Pakistan.
In another indication of cautious engagement, Russian President Vladimir Putin also chose to address the summit virtually. His measured tone and remote participation suggested Moscow’s intent to maintain a balanced approach amid rising tensions in South Asia.
The BRICS declaration, while strongly condemning the violence in Pahalgam and reaffirming its opposition to terrorism, avoided directly blaming any country, much to India’s disappointment. The absence of Pakistan’s name was seen by analysts as a diplomatic failure for India and a win for Pakistan on the global stage.
This development reflects growing geopolitical rifts within BRICS, especially as new member states join and existing powers like China and Russia continue to prioritize regional alliances over bloc consensus.