Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday criticised the union government for not issuing a collective statement through BRICS on the recent US-Israel military actions involving Iran, alleging that India’s stance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was weakening the value of the grouping’s presidency.
In a post on X, Ramesh said that Brazil, which held the BRICS presidency in 2025, had successfully secured a joint statement from member countries in June that year condemning the air assaults carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran.
“Brazil was President of BRICS in 2025. It got the 11 member countries to issue a joint statement in June 2025 on the US and Israel air assaults on Iran,” Ramesh said.
Contrasting that with India’s current role as BRICS president for 2026, the Congress leader alleged that New Delhi had so far failed to bring the bloc together to respond to the escalating tensions in the region.
“India is boasting of being the President of BRICS in 2026. But till now it has not summoned up the inclination or the courage to put out a collective statement on the US-Israel air offensives on and targeted assassinations in Iran,” he said.
Ramesh also referred to Iran’s subsequent strikes on non-military targets in the Gulf region and the presence of the US Navy in waters near the subcontinent. “There has also been silence on Iran’s subsequent attacks on non-military targets in the GCC countries, and the shocking action of the US Navy in the Indian Ocean close to both Sri Lanka and India,” he added.
According to Ramesh, the government’s approach reflects a reluctance to take a strong multilateral position due to diplomatic considerations with Washington and Tel Aviv.
“In his desire to appease President Trump and maintain his cozy relationship with Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Modi is diminishing the value and standing of the BRICS Presidency,” he said.
BRICS — comprising major emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has expanded in recent years to include additional members, often referred to as BRICS . The grouping aims to strengthen cooperation among developing economies and provide a platform for coordinated positions on major global issues.
Ramesh’s remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia and ongoing debates within India’s political circles over the country’s diplomatic posture and its role in global multilateral forums.
