According to Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, China’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, met India’s Secretary (South), Dr. Neena Malhotra, on the sidelines of BRICS MENA deliberations. The two sides engaged in constructive discussions on recent developments in the MENA region and also explored ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting gains importance as global attention remains fixed on the region amid escalating tensions and disruptions.
The MENA region, comprising approximately 19 to 27 countries depending on definitional scope, is rich in oil and natural gas resources and remains central to global energy supply and economic stability. The urgency of these discussions has intensified in the backdrop of the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical lifeline for global oil and gas supply.
India’s continued engagement with BRICS MENA nations reflects strategic priorities tied to energy security and geopolitical stability. The BRICS bloc itself has been expanding steadily. In August 2023, during a summit in South Africa, several MENA countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Iran, were invited to join. Except Saudi Arabia, all invited nations became members in 2024, alongside Argentina and Ethiopia. Saudi Arabia, due to its relations with the United States and its geopolitical positioning, has not yet become a full member, though it continues to participate in BRICS meetings through its representatives.
The United States has shown discomfort with the expansion of BRICS, a grouping that includes major powers such as India, China, and Russia. Trump’s reservations stem partly from concerns that BRICS could undermine his vision of strengthening the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s influence.
BRICS, conceptualized in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill, initially began as BRIC, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The inclusion of South Africa in 2011 led to the formation of BRICS. Today, the bloc represents nearly 40 percent of the global population and accounts for approximately one-third of the world’s economy.
The diplomatic developments coincide with backlash over Trump’s recent social media activity. The US President shared a controversial post by conservative author Michael Savage on birthright citizenship. The post claimed that existing laws allow immigrants to travel to the United States in the ninth month of pregnancy to gain citizenship benefits for their children. The statement further alleged that such practices enable families to relocate from countries like China, India, or “any other hellhole,” adding that English is no longer widely spoken in the US.
The remarks drew sharp criticism. As the controversy escalated, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in India sought to mitigate the fallout, stating that the President considers India a great country and values his relationships with its top leadership.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded formally. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the comments were “clearly uninformed and inappropriate” and did not reflect the reality of India-US relations, which are based on mutual respect and shared interests.
The sequence of events highlights the intersection of diplomatic engagement, geopolitical strategy, and political rhetoric at a time of heightened global uncertainty, particularly concerning energy security and international alliances.
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