India’s foreign policy in the 21st century leans heavily on strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, navigating between various global groupings to maximise diplomatic, economic, and security dividends. Two major such groupings are BRICS and QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). While BRICS emphasises South-South cooperation and reform of international institutions, QUAD focuses on Indo-Pacific security, resilient supply chains, and shared democratic values. For India, both groupings are crucial, but in different dimensions.

Role of BRICS for India

1. 1. Economic Cooperation: India’s trade with BRICS nations reached US$399 billion in 2024, with a robust 20% compound annual growth rate since 2020, demonstrating significant economic engagement.
   2. Global South Leadership: As the largest democracy in BRICS, India plays a pivotal role in representing developing nations’ interests and promoting South-South cooperation.
   3. Multilateral Reforms: BRICS provides India a platform to advocate for reforms in international institutions like the UN Security Council and IMF, ensuring better representation of emerging economies.
   4. Development Finance: 
      1. The New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement provide alternatives for infrastructure financing and balance of payments support. 
      2. Expansion gives India more partners for trade, investment, natural resources, energy supply, and access to broader markets.

• Technology, Health & Climate Cooperation

1. 1. BRICS has launched frameworks for AI governance, climate finance, vaccine R&D, remote sensing satellite constellations etc.
   2. Joint collaboration can help India shore up its resilience in climate change, pandemics, technology disruptions.
2. Strategic & Diplomatic Balance: Interaction with both China and Russia within BRICS allows India to maintain engagement even amid geopolitical tensions.

Role of QUAD for India

• Maritime Security: 

1. 1. 1. Strengthens India’s position in the Indo-Pacific region through joint naval exercises like Malabar and maritime domain awareness initiatives.
      2. QUAD’s commitment to a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific supports India’s SAGAR vision of maritime security and Littoral cooperation.
      3. Expansion of IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness) to the Indian Ocean region enhances India’s capacity for maritime surveillance and threat response.
   2. Strategic Balance: Helps counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through collective economic and infrastructure initiatives in the region.

• Technological Advancement: 

1. 1. Enhances India’s capabilities through cooperation in critical technologies, cybersecurity, and space exploration.
   2. QUAD Critical Minerals Initiative (2025) to diversify and secure supply chains for minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earths are important for India’s technology, renewable energy push.
2. Supply Chain Resilience: Facilitates development of resilient supply chains through initiatives like Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).
3. Soft Power & Humanitarian Cooperation: Disaster relief, pandemic response, and regional development initiatives enhance India’s influence.

Complementary Benefits

1. Strategic Autonomy: Both forums allow India to maintain its strategic independence while pursuing multi-aligned diplomacy.
2. Comprehensive Engagement: While BRICS focuses on economic cooperation and global governance reforms, QUAD emphasizes security and technological collaboration.
3. Resource Optimization: Access to diverse partnerships helps India optimize its diplomatic, economic, and strategic resources.

Challenges for India

India’s engagement with both BRICS and QUAD demonstrates its diplomatic maturity in leveraging multiple platforms to achieve its foreign policy objectives. These partnerships are instrumental in realizing India’s vision of becoming a Vishwaguru and establishing a multipolar world order while maintaining its strategic autonomy through multi-alignment.