BJP MP Sambit Patra has launched a sharp attack on the Congress and other opposition parties over their criticism of the BRICS Summit 2026, arguing that India’s growing role in the grouping reflects the country’s stronger position on the global stage.
Speaking in Delhi during the BRICS Summit, Patra said some opposition leaders were unable to accept the progress India had made and accused them of spreading negativity around the international gathering.
Taking a rhetorical swipe at his political opponents, Patra said the “I” in BRICS represents India and the country’s 1.4 billion people.
“Remember, the ‘I’ in BRICS stands for India, and that ‘I’ represents 1.4 billion people. I am India. I am one of the strongest partners of BRICS, and I am proud of it,” Patra said.
He added that India’s participation in the summit was a matter of national pride and described the country as one of the strongest members of the BRICS grouping.
Patra Brings Up India’s Economic Situation in 2011-12
Patra also sought to compare India’s current position within BRICS with the economic challenges the country faced more than a decade ago.
Referring to articles published in 2011 and 2012, the BJP MP said India was then being portrayed as the weakest performer among the BRIC nations. He pointed to concerns over high inflation, a weak currency, the current account deficit, fiscal pressures and stalled investment.
According to Patra, the economic commentary of that period suggested that India was struggling to keep pace with its BRIC partners, with infrastructure weaknesses and limited new investment adding to the concerns.
He used those reports to argue that India’s standing has changed significantly since then.
‘Today, Heads of State of All BRICS Nations Are Here’
Patra said the presence of leaders from BRICS countries in India for the 2026 summit demonstrated how the country’s international position had evolved.
“Reflect on this: while India seemed to be losing ground within BRICS in 2011–12, today, the heads of state of all BRICS nations are here in India,” he said.
The BJP MP said India was now hosting the grouping at a time when its influence on international economic and geopolitical issues had expanded.
He also claimed that the country was celebrating the BRICS Summit on a scale that reflected its growing confidence and international standing.
BJP MP Accuses Opposition of Spreading Negativity
Patra further criticised Congress and other opposition leaders for what he described as an attempt to undermine the significance of the summit.
“I feel it is necessary to hold up a mirror to the Congress and certain opposition parties regarding the negativity they are trying to spread about the BRICS Summit today,” he said.
The remarks come as India hosts the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together leaders and delegations from the grouping’s member countries.
The summit is being closely watched for discussions on trade, economic cooperation, global governance and the changing geopolitical order. For the BJP, the gathering is also being presented as evidence of India’s expanding diplomatic and economic influence.
