BJP Cites BRICS Summit as Proof of India's Rising Global Clout

The BJP on Friday framed the BRICS Leaders' Summit in the national capital as evidence of India's expanding role on the world stage, with senior party leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad drawing a sharp contrast between the country's present economic standing and its position during the previous Congress-led government.

Prasad said the International Monetary Fund has acknowledged India's 7.8 per cent growth rate as accurate and has praised the economy's resilience in the face of global shocks, wars, an energy crisis and supply-chain disruptions. He added that the IMF has also appreciated India's progress in the services and manufacturing sectors as well as in trade.

Referring to the summit, the former Union Minister noted that leaders of several major countries had gathered in Delhi, describing it as a sign of India's international standing. He also questioned why Congress leaders were asking what the country would gain from BRICS.

Prasad sought to remind the opposition of India's earlier position within the grouping, saying that during the Congress era the country was labelled part of the 'Fragile Five' and described as a 'junk economy'. He claimed that global confidence in India was then declining amid rising inflation, policy paralysis and corruption, and that a reputed institution like Goldman Sachs had expressed concern about the economy while investments were falling.

He further said several international agencies at the time had suggested replacing the 'I' in BRICS — which stands for India — with Indonesia.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Prasad asserted, India has moved from the 'Fragile Five' to rank among the world's top five economies and has emerged as the shining star of BRICS, crediting the support of 140 crore people for the shift.