India Russia Relations: Are Russia and Iran angry with India? Government’s official clarification on the controversy over BRICS proposal

News India Live, Digital Desk: In recent days, there was a strong discussion in the diplomatic circles whether India’s old and trusted friends Russia and Iran have become angry over a special proposal of BRICS. According to the report of Live Hindustan, the Government of India has put an end to these speculations and clarified the situation. The government has clarified that strategic differences do not mean bitterness in relations. Root of the dispute: The BRICS Proposal The dispute was mainly related to the proposals regarding the expansion of the BRICS grouping and a new currency or trade system: Pace of expansion: Russia and Iran have been in favor of the rapid expansion of BRICS and strengthening its identity as an anti-Western bloc. India’s stance: India has always supported ‘criteria-based expansion’. expansion). India believes that there should be consensus and clear rules before including new countries. Currency issue: India’s stance has been a bit cautious on the proposal to introduce a new BRICS currency as an alternative to the dollar, while Russia and Iran want to speed up the process. Government’s response: Is there really resentment? (Government’s Response) Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and government representatives have termed these reports as ‘baseless’. The following points have been made by the government: Independent foreign policy: India takes decisions based on its sovereignty and national interests. India’s stance in BRICS is not against any country, but for the stability of the group. Unbroken relations with Russia: The government clarified that relations between India and Russia have strengthened further during the Ukraine crisis and energy trade. Having different opinions on a proposal does not affect decades-old friendship. Strategic Partnership with Iran: Work continues with Iran on Chabahar Port and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Discussions on the BRICS platform are part of a normal democratic process. Consensus: BRICS is an organization that works by consensus. India’s effort is only to ensure that the interests of all members are protected. Experts’ Analysis: Strategic Autonomy Geopolitical experts believe that India is currently following the policy of ‘Strategic Autonomy’: On one hand, India is in groups like QUAD with America and the West. On the other hand, it is also active in BRICS and SCO with Russia, China and Iran. In such a situation, it is natural to have a conflict of interests, which the government Is being resolved through ‘negotiation’.