India, which took the BRICS rotating presidency at the start of this year and will chair in 2026, faces growing pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump set a tariff threat against countries adopting what he calls anti-American BRICS policies. The warning complicates New Delhi’s plan to spotlight Global South issues like food security, debt relief and climate action at this year’s meetings.
On Truth Social, Donald Trump warned, “Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.” (Ed. note: the post appeared on Truth Social.)
S. Jaishankar has framed India’s BRICS year around a people-focused agenda and called the forum valuable for cooperation, stating “As BRICS completes 20 years, it stands as a valuable forum for international cooperation, consultation and coordination, taking forward its people-centric agenda.”
Wang Youming warned that U.S. moves have shaken the international order, calling recent U.S. action “a bull in a china shop”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a reshaped BRICS, saying “Our goal will be to redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.” New membership bids face fresh scrutiny as India considers stricter criteria and navigates opposition to applicants like Pakistan.
New Delhi is avoiding aggressive measures such as de-dollarization and may propose milder steps, including a possible BRICS digital currency alliance. The outcome of India’s summit later this year will test whether it can balance Global South leadership with rising U.S. pressure.
