Tharoor Defends BRICS Prestige Amid Chidambaram’s Queries, BJP Criticizes

Shashi Tharoor answered questions from former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram about the tangible benefits of India’s participation in the BRICS grouping. Tharoor countered that hosting the summit demonstrates India’s diplomatic convening power and that BRICS represents a majority of the world’s population, underscoring the bloc’s prestige. The BJP rebuked Chidambaram’s remarks and highlighted Tharoor’s contrasting view, framing the debate as a partisan clash. Tharoor’s independent stance has already sparked internal discussions within the Congress party, prompting leaders to reassess how the party articulates its position on BRICS. The exchange signals a potential shift in how India’s role in the bloc will be framed publicly and internally.