India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval is expected to skip the BRICS National Security Advisors (NSA) meeting scheduled for April 30, 2025, in Brazil, due to escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. In his absence, Deputy NSA Pawan Kapoor is likely to represent India at the summit. Similarly, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is also likely to miss the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting set for April 28-29 in Brazil, although no final decision has been made yet. If Jaishankar does not attend, India’s BRICS Sherpa will represent the country at the foreign ministers’ meeting.
The decision to skip these high-profile BRICS gatherings underscores India’s focus on managing its internal security challenges amid the fallout from the Pahalgam attack. The attack, the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has triggered a stringent security crackdown and heightened diplomatic tensions with Pakistan.
The upcoming BRICS NSA meeting is expected to prioritize discussions on cross-border terrorism, terror financing, and terror infrastructure, reflecting the urgent security concerns faced by member countries. The foreign ministers’ meeting will also address global issues such as artificial intelligence, climate finance, cross-border payments, and international hotspots including Ukraine and West Asia, as part of preparations for the BRICS summit in July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro
India’s decision to delegate representation to its BRICS Sherpa and Deputy NSA highlights a strategic balancing act-maintaining its commitment to the BRICS forum while prioritizing national security and diplomatic focus at home. This move sends a clear message about India’s stance on terrorism and its readiness to address these challenges firmly on all fronts.
In summary, amid a tense security environment following the Pahalgam terror attack, India’s top diplomatic and security officials are likely to forgo attending the upcoming BRICS meetings in Brazil, entrusting representation to senior deputies to ensure continued engagement without compromising on critical national security priorities.