BRICS Summit 2025: Modi’s Brazil Visit Amid Key Absences and Global Shifts
- Digital Bookish
- Jul 7
- 7 min read
Introduction
The 17th BRICS Summit, held on July 6-7, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has drawn significant global attention as a pivotal moment for the coalition of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, now expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the summit, coupled with his historic bilateral state visit to Brazil—the first by an Indian PM in nearly six decades—underscores India’s growing diplomatic influence. However, the absence of leaders from China, Russia, and Iran has sparked widespread discussion about the summit’s dynamics and the broader geopolitical implications. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the event, its agenda, the significance of Modi’s visit, and the reasons behind the notable absences, while situating the summit within the context of global economic and political shifts.
Modi’s Visit: A Diplomatic Milestone
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rio de Janeiro on July 5, 2025, as part of a five-nation tour that included Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia. His visit to Brazil is multifaceted, encompassing participation in the 17th BRICS Summit and a state visit to Brasília at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This marks a historic moment, as it is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brazil in nearly 60 years, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening India-Brazil ties.
Upon arrival at Galeao International Airport, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome, followed by an enthusiastic reception from the Indian diaspora in Rio. The community greeted him with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and cultural performances, including a dance themed on India’s recent anti-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, which resonated emotionally with the prime minister. Modi’s engagement with the diaspora highlights the cultural bridge between India and Brazil, reinforcing people-to-people ties.
During the summit, Modi is expected to engage in high-level discussions on pressing global issues, including global governance reforms, peace and security, counterterrorism, ethical use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and financial collaboration. His bilateral meetings on the sidelines will further India’s strategic partnerships, particularly with Brazil, a key trading partner in South America. In 2024–25, bilateral trade between India and Brazil reached USD 12.20 billion, with Indian companies expanding in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and energy sectors. Defense cooperation, including joint development of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and a collaboration between Brazil’s Embraer and Mahindra on the C-390 Millennium aircraft, is also a focal point.
Modi’s state visit to Brasília post-summit aims to deepen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, with discussions covering trade, defense, energy, space, technology, agriculture, and health. His meetings with President Lula are expected to advance cooperation in these areas, aligning with India’s broader vision of fostering a multipolar world order through platforms like BRICS.
The 17th BRICS Summit: Agenda and Significance
The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation in the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” is a critical platform for emerging economies to address global challenges. The bloc, now representing 49.5% of the world’s population and 40% of global GDP, has grown in influence since its inception in 2009 (initially as BRIC, with South Africa joining in 2011). The 2024 expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia has further amplified its geopolitical and economic weight, positioning BRICS as a counterbalance to Western-dominated groups like the G7, which accounts for 30% of global GDP.
Key agenda items for the 2025 summit include:
Global Governance Reforms: Advocating for a more equitable representation of emerging economies in institutions like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
Peace and Security: Discussions on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and regional stability, with India emphasizing diplomacy in resolving conflicts like the Ukraine crisis and tensions in the Middle East.
Economic and Financial Collaboration: Exploring alternative trade mechanisms, including the use of national currencies to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, though India has clarified it does not support replacing the dollar entirely.
Climate Action and Global Health: Addressing sustainable development and health challenges, aligning with Brazil’s priorities under President Lula.
Ethical Use of AI: Promoting responsible AI development to ensure equitable benefits for Global South nations.
Energy and Trade: With the inclusion of oil-rich nations like Iran, the UAE, and potentially Saudi Arabia, BRICS now represents 42% of global oil supply, raising prospects for alternative energy trade frameworks.
The summit is expected to attract 4,000 attendees from 37 member nations, partner states, and international organizations, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also in attendance. Rio’s offer to host a permanent BRICS headquarters underscores the city’s ambition to cement its role in the bloc’s future.
Absences of Key Leaders: China, Russia, and Iran
The absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has cast a shadow over the summit, raising questions about internal dynamics within BRICS and broader geopolitical tensions.
China’s Absence: Xi Jinping’s decision to skip the summit, his first absence in 12 years, was attributed to a “scheduling conflict,” with Premier Li Qiang representing China instead. Reports suggest Xi’s withdrawal may be linked to Brazil’s invitation to Modi for a state dinner, which some speculate made Xi feel sidelined. This follows Xi’s meetings with President Lula twice in the past year, suggesting his presence was less urgent. However, the move has reportedly upset Brazil, which expected reciprocity after Lula’s visit to Beijing. The absence comes amid strained India-China relations, despite a recent warming signaled by resumed border patrols in Ladakh and the restart of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Russia’s Absence: President Putin is participating via video link, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov representing Russia in person. Putin’s limited international travel is due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His virtual participation ensures Russia’s voice in discussions, particularly on energy trade and counterterrorism, but his physical absence may dilute Russia’s influence at the summit.
Iran’s Absence: President Pezeshkian’s absence, alongside Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is less detailed in reports but aligns with regional tensions, including Israel’s recent attack on Iran and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which are expected to be discussed. Iran’s inclusion in BRICS, alongside other oil-producing nations, strengthens the bloc’s energy profile, but its leader’s absence may limit its ability to shape the narrative on these issues.
These absences highlight the challenges of coordinating a diverse bloc with competing national interests, particularly as BRICS navigates its role as a counterweight to Western influence.
Geopolitical Context and Challenges
The 2025 BRICS Summit occurs against a backdrop of global economic and political shifts. The U.S. Trump administration is closely watching the summit, viewing BRICS as a challenge to the G7’s dominance. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently criticized India’s participation in BRICS, citing concerns over “de-dollarization” efforts, though India has clarified it does not support replacing the dollar. The summit follows the G7 meeting in Canada, where India was not invited, unlike Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico, underscoring tensions in global alliances.
India’s participation is particularly significant following its recent four-day conflict with Pakistan (Operation Sindoor), which targeted Pakistan-based terrorists. Modi’s emphasis on counterterrorism at the summit aligns with India’s strategic priorities, and any joint BRICS statement on cross-border terrorism would be a diplomatic win. However, China’s historical support for Pakistan during the conflict and ongoing India-China border tensions complicate Modi’s engagements.
The summit also addresses broader issues like the Ukraine crisis, where India advocates for diplomatic solutions, and the Middle East, where conflicts involving Iran and Israel are on the table. India’s role as a bridge between the Global South and Western powers positions it uniquely to navigate these challenges, advocating for a balanced multipolar world order.
India’s Strategic Positioning
As a founding member of BRICS, India has consistently championed the bloc as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Modi’s statement before departing for the summit emphasized India’s commitment to a “peaceful, equitable, just, democratic, and balanced multipolar world order.” India’s advocacy for global governance reforms, counterterrorism, and technological cooperation (e.g., real-time geospatial data sharing) reflects its ambition to lead the Global South while maintaining strategic autonomy.
The Congress party in India highlighted the historical context of BRICS, noting that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed the BRICS Development Bank (now the New Development Bank) during the 2012 summit hosted by India. This underscores India’s long-standing role in shaping the bloc’s institutional framework.
India’s bilateral ties with Brazil are also a focal point. Brazil’s support for India’s stance against terrorism, expressed by President Lula during a May 2025 phone call with Modi, strengthens their partnership. The growing presence of Indian companies in Brazil and joint defense projects signal a deepening strategic alignment.
Implications for BRICS and the Global South
The 2025 summit, dubbed the “Rio Reset” by Washington-based think tanks, underscores BRICS’ evolving role as a platform for the Global South. The bloc’s expansion to include major oil producers enhances its influence in global energy markets, potentially challenging OPEC+ dynamics. However, internal divisions—evidenced by the absences of key leaders—pose challenges to articulating a cohesive vision. The summit’s focus on alternative trade mechanisms, climate action, and AI ethics reflects the bloc’s ambition to address 21st-century challenges, but achieving consensus among diverse members remains a hurdle.
For India, the summit offers an opportunity to amplify its diplomatic influence, strengthen ties with Brazil, and navigate complex relations with China and Russia. Modi’s bilateral engagements and India’s advocacy for counterterrorism and governance reforms will shape the summit’s outcomes and BRICS’ trajectory.
Conclusion
The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro marks a critical juncture for the bloc and India’s global diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Brazil, coupled with the absences of leaders from China, Russia, and Iran, highlights both the opportunities and challenges facing BRICS. As the bloc navigates global tensions, economic shifts, and internal dynamics, India’s role as a bridge between the Global South and the West will be pivotal. The summit’s outcomes, particularly on counterterrorism, governance reforms, and economic cooperation, will shape the future of BRICS and its influence in a multipolar world.
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