Victoria Panova Participated in RIAC Roundtable on India's BRICS Chairship
On April 16, Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council‑Russia, Vice Rector at HSE University, and Russia's Sherpa to the Women 20 (W20), took part in a roundtable discussion titled "India's BRICS Chairship: Expectations and Priorities," organised by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
The event was also attended by Pavel Knyazev, Ambassador‑at‑Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia's Sous‑Sherpa for BRICS; Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India to the Russian Federation; and Dmitriy Kiku, RIAC Deputy Director General.
In her remarks, Victoria Panova emphasised the continued relevance and demand for BRICS amid the transformation of the global system, despite growing contradictions among states.
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India is one of the founding members of BRICS and possesses substantial experience within this format. We can reasonably expect a highly productive chairship, particularly given its emphasis on a people‑centred approach, inclusivity, and the promotion of Global South interests. In the context of increasing fragmentation of the global system, BRICS will need to develop responses to key challenges—from energy security and sustainable growth to the development of its own financial infrastructure. Despite external constraints and internal differences, there are grounds to expect tangible outcomes from the group's work this year.
Victoria Panova
Head of the BRICS Expert Council‑Russia, Vice Rector at HSE University, and Russia's Sherpa to the Women 20 (W20)
She also noted that BRICS remains a significant and "in‑demand" platform, even though its member states may at times find themselves on opposing sides of ongoing international conflicts. She highlighted that the group is increasingly asserting itself as one of the drivers of global change.
Pavel Knyazev outlined the key parameters of BRICS's current stage of development, observing that the group is entering a new phase of its existence, with 2026 marking its 20th anniversary. He underscored the importance of India's Chairship for the further institutional and substantive development of this format.
Nikhilesh Giri drew attention to the fact that India assumes the chairship under complex international conditions characterised by a high degree of uncertainty and rising conflict, which necessitates balanced and pragmatic decision‑making within BRICS.
Dmitriy Kiku emphasised the importance of advancing the transport and logistics agenda within BRICS. In his view, the development of international transport corridors is becoming a key factor in deepening economic cooperation and strengthening the resilience of ties among member states.
The panel discussion featured presentations by Harsh Pant, Vice President of the Observer Research Foundation; Tatyana Shaumyan, Head of the Centre for India Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Olga Kharina, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the South Asian Studies Section at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Amit Bhandari, Senior Associate at Gateway House; and Petr Topychkanov, Head of the Laboratory “Sector of New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia” at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Harsh Pant presented the perspective of Indian analytical circles on the key priorities of the current chairship, highlighting a focus on economic development, sustainability, and strengthening BRICS's role in global governance. Tatyana Shaumyan highlighted India's role within BRICS and outlined potential approaches New Delhi may take toward the group's further expansion. Olga Kharina emphasised the development of Digital Public Infrastructure as one of the key priorities of India's chairship. Amit Bhandari proposed strengthening the BRICS energy agenda, including through the creation of mechanisms to ensure energy stability, such as a dedicated fund. Petr Topychkanov raised the issue of a possible transformation of interaction formats within BRICS, including a rethinking of the traditional practice of holding summits.
Following the discussion, participants noted that India's BRICS Chairship is taking place amid serious global challenges, yet it also opens new opportunities for deepening cooperation and enhancing the group's role in the emerging multipolar system of international relations.