MEA Signals Neutral Path: India to Balance BRICS, QUAD and Global South Priorities

In a clear message, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) today made it clear that India was not “choosing one grouping over another,” but that the country’s vision was of a “multilateralism that is more representative, more resilient and more responsive,” and is appropriate for “the needs of our times.” Speaking at the Asia Economic Dialogue, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary, Economic Relations, said, "Navigating complexity is not about choosing one grouping over another. It is about leveraging the complementarity of platforms be it G20, BRICS, QUAD or IBSA.” Dalela pointedly added that the “future of economic multilateralism will depend not on the strength of any single actor, but our collective ability to adapt, reform and cooperate.”By referring

to BRICS, where India’s partners are Russia and China and QUAD, which has the United States of America, Japan and Australia, Dalela made it clear that India was not part of any ‘camp.’ That this statement comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent tweet about losing India (and Russia) to China, makes it significant.He also spoke about “balance” and the requirements of the Global South, and the current challenges the world faces, including the pace of development, climate change, the slow reform of the UN Security Council, energy security problems and the need for closer cooperation in areas like cyber security.Dalela also spoke about the need for disaster relief infrastructure and, importantly development partnerships. There, he added, was a need for “transparency, viability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.” This statement also comes after some countries have complained about the burdens of Chinese loans.