New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit back at senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram over his questioning of the benefits India derives from the BRICS grouping, asking the Congress to explain its own diplomatic achievements since Independence.
The BJP reaction came after Chidambaram, in a recent interview, questioned the benefits India gains from BRICS and said he had not seen any significant outcomes from the grouping’s recent meetings.
Responding to the remarks, BJP leader Nalin Kohli said it was surprising that Chidambaram had raised such questions when India was preparing to host an important international summit bringing together heads of state and government.
“One is surprised to note the statement of Mr Chidambaram and the Congress Party, particularly at a time when India is hosting such an important event, the BRICS Summit, where many heads of state and heads of government will come,” Kohli said.
He questioned the Congress’ approach of judging diplomacy primarily through immediate and tangible returns.
“Is diplomacy to be seen as a transaction like the Congress Party is projecting? What have I done for you? What will you do for me? Kind of an approach. What is the so-called tangible result?” he said.
Kohli also questioned the Congress’ diplomatic record from 1947 to 2014, referring to the 2009 Sharm El-Sheikh Joint Statement between India and Pakistan. He criticised what he described as the Congress’ approach towards Pakistan and alleged that the party had at times projected Pakistan as a victim of terrorism.
The BJP leader further alleged that some Congress leaders had engaged in political outreach in Pakistan that raised questions about the party’s own position on relations with the neighbouring country.
Taking a dig at Chidambaram, Kohli said, “Mr Chidambaram’s strange logic: We don’t see any benefit. Tomorrow, if somebody says that they see no benefit from the Congress Party, will the Congress Party then shut down?”
He alleged that Chidambaram’s remarks were aimed at criticising the Narendra Modi government rather than assessing the relevance of BRICS.
“I think Mr Chidambaram is trying to make a political point when none exists. And this is just another attempt by the Congress Party to somehow criticise anything and everything that Prime Minister Modi’s government does,” Kohli said.
India is scheduled to host the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. India assumed the BRICS chairship on January 1, 2026, with “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” as the theme of its chairship.
BRICS currently has 11 members — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam participate as partner countries.
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