Compiled by Miyashni Pillay
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly won’t be at the next BRICS Summit hosted in Johannesburg later this month. Instead, the Indian leader is expected to attend virtually.
This means that only three of the five BRICS leaders will be at the first in-person summit since the Covid-19 pandemic in person since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last week that he will be sending a delegation to the conference.
India’s relationship with fellow BRICS Superpower China collapsed after a clash over their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
Tensions have also risen between Modi and Putin after the Indian leader condemned the Kremlin for the invasion of Ukraine. Modi told the United States Congress that “The Global South has been particularly affected” by Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
This contentious relationship with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, makes two reasons why Modi has decided not to leave India next month.
According to the Reuters report, Modi is uncomfortable with China’s dominance of regional trade groups such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
