Former Union Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has questioned the tangible benefits India has received from recent BRICS summits, raising concerns whether the grouping and other major multilateral platforms are delivering concrete outcomes for the country.
In the wake of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Chidambaram said India is part of several influential international groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), G20 and QUAD. But he expressed doubt on what India has achieved in joining those forums.
Chidambaram said he did not think the last two or three BRICS summits had produced significant tangible results for India. At the same time, he acknowledged that earlier BRICS meetings had delivered some concrete benefits.
His comments come at the time when India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit, with New Delhi preparing to welcome leaders and representatives from member and partner countries.
Chidambaram Raises Questions Over Multilateral Groupings
The Congress leader’s comments are a reflection on India’s international partners’ objectives. BRICS, G20, SCO, and QUAD have the potential for diplomacy and cooperation, but Chidambaram said that their value should be measured by tangible results.
His comments could fuel a wider political debate over India’s foreign policy strategy and the practical gains brought about by the country’s involvement in a variety of international forums.
The BRICS grouping, for all its geopolitical and economic significance, has grown considerably in recent years. India has always said that BRICS can work in the world of cooperation between emerging economies and in the Global South.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the upcoming BRICS Summit, Former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram says, "I don't know how many Presidents and how many Prime Ministers are coming. I don't think the last two or three BRICS summits have resulted in tangible benefits or tangible… pic.twitter.com/x3klEIy07D
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2026
Delhi Steps Up Summit Preparations
The preparations for the BRICS Summit have also intensified in the national capital.
Civic and infrastructure agencies are making inspections of important venues, routes and surrounding areas ahead of the high-profile gathering. MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar and PWD Principal Secretary Sandeep Kumar collaborated on a joint inspection of Bharat Mandapam as the proposed summit site.
Sanitation, cleanliness and civic infrastructure were reviewed and departments were to oversee coordination of work.
Special attention is also being paid to roads, footpaths, markets, green belts and other areas along key summit routes. Sarai Kale Khan, Lodhi Road, Nizamuddin, Saket and Sheikh Sarai have been included in the preparations.
India’s BRICS Chairship
India took the BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026, its fourth time leading the grouping following previous chairmanship in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
The 18th BRICS Summit is expected to bring together leaders from member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees. Major global challenges, economic cooperation and the implications of geopolitical crises, such as those in West Asia, will be the topics of discussion.
India’s theme for its 2026 BRICS chairship is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
As preparations advance, Chidambaram’s comments have placed the question of measurable outcomes at the centre of the BRICS debate, and the summit will be an opportunity for India to prove how the grouping can translate diplomatic engagement into concrete economic and strategic benefits.
