New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s recent comments regarding the BRICS summit have sparked a sharp response from the BJP. Chidambaram questioned the benefits India derives from the BRICS group, stating he sees no significant outcomes from its recent meetings.
In response, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli expressed surprise at Chidambaram’s remarks, particularly as India prepares to host the important BRICS Summit, which will see numerous heads of state engaging in one-on-one meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kohli also criticized the Congress party’s perspective on diplomacy, asking whether international relations should only be viewed through the lens of immediate gains. He remarked, “Should diplomacy be treated as a transaction, asking what someone can do for you?”
He further scrutinized Congress’s diplomatic record from 1947 to 2014, referencing the controversial Sharm el-Sheikh joint statement from July 16, 2009. This statement, issued after a meeting between then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, controversially portrayed Pakistan as a victim of terrorism, despite its role in fostering it.
Kohli accused Congress leaders of making political statements in Pakistan, stating, “Congress leaders go to Pakistan and say, remove them, bring us in.” He emphasized that such actions raise questions about Congress’s credibility when they criticize the current government’s handling of the BRICS summit.
Addressing Chidambaram’s assertion that no benefits are visible, Kohli quipped, “If someone claims they see no benefit from Congress, would that mean the party should cease to exist?” He concluded by suggesting that Chidambaram is attempting to score political points without a valid issue, noting that the Modi government faces criticism from Congress regardless of the context.
The BRICS group currently includes 11 major emerging and developing economies: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. In addition to full members, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam participate as partner countries.
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