BRICS Tension: Is India Unhappy After Russia Begins to Cement Ties with Pakistan?
Recent developments have raised concerns about the future of BRICS, particularly regarding India's position as Russia deepens its relationship with Pakistan. Is India unhappy? The situation is complex, fraught with geopolitical implications for the BRICS alliance.
Reports indicate that India is increasingly uncomfortable with Russia's growing alignment with Pakistan. On October 13, 2025, news surfaced that In the new mood of nationalism that is sweeping through the country, India is angry with old ally Russia for holding its first ever military exercises with Pakistan, a country Delhi views with suspicion.
India's Dilemma Within BRICS
August 28, 2025, saw analysis stating that The decision to extend BRICS membership to countries with deepening strategic ties with China and Russia puts India in a bind. This expansion challenges India's influence within the bloc.
India has strategically leveraged the BRICS platform. As noted on October 29, 2025, India has used the Brics, which has two of the most anti-American forces - Russia and China - to walk a complex geopolitical tightrope and use opportunities to its advantage. However, the evolving dynamics are testing its diplomatic agility.
De-dollarization and Economic Ties
Despite the tensions, India's economic cooperation with Russia continues, driven in part by the BRICS' agenda. On April 8, 2025, reports mentioned that India’s increased reliance on discounted Russian oil aligns with BRICS’ broader push for de-dollarisation and strengthened South-South economic cooperation. Additionally, Indo is exploring alternative financial systems.
However, it is also crucial to consider that, according to reports from June 1, 2025, For all its cooperation with Russia, India remains much more economically tied to the U.S, increasingly dependent on Western technologies, and more deeply engaged in other international partnerships.
The Potential for BRICS Expansion Challenges
The possibility of Pakistan joining BRICS has sparked debate and concern in India. On September 20, 2025, Experts like Prof. Rajan Kumar of JNU argue that India should firmly oppose Pakistan’s entry unless clear membership rules are established, while independent political voices advocate for a cautious approach.
While Saudi Arabia has considered joining, as indicated on May 8, 2025 - Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining the BRICS bloc of nations despite attending a meeting in Brazil last week, two sources said, finessing an issue that could upset existing members - the prospect of Pakistan's inclusion presents a different set of challenges for India's position within the alliance.
Ultimately, the interplay between Russia's growing ties with Pakistan and India's role within BRICS will significantly shape the future of this influential international organization.