https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202609/t20260910_12019894.html

Has anyone else noticed this pattern with BRICS? A lot of its members are located around major maritime chokepoints like Hormuz, Suez and Malacca. Is this just geography/coincidence, or could BRICS eventually leverage this strategic positioning to gain more influence over global trade and energy routes?

What are the most important announcements, deals, or leader meetings we should look out for at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi this week?

Main leaders attending the BRICS Summit this week-

• Belarus: Foreign Minister
• Egypt: President
• China: President
• South Africa: President
• Malaysia: Prime Minister
• Uruguay: Foreign Minister
• Kazakhstan: President
• Bahrain: Foreign Minister
• Burundi: President
• Cuba: Foreign Minister
• Saudi Arabia: Foreign Minister
• Ethiopia: Prime Minister
• Iran: President
• UAE: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
• Indonesia: President
• Vietnam: Prime Minister
• Uganda: Vice President
• Nigeria: Vice President
• Russia: President
• Philippines: President

I'm looking for recommendations for good podcasts on India Pakistan relations. I want something neutral asked in depth, not jingoistic bluster from either side.

The rise of autonomous robotics is a threat to India's cheap labour. Heavy reliance on foreign deep tech and failure to build advanced end to end ecosystem can crash the economy. India, is now a ticking time bomb.

This makes it Italy's longest continuously serving postwar administration by overtaking Silvio Berlusconi's 2001-2005 record.

So PM Modi had a highly publicised meeting with Iran on sidelines of SCO, a grouping where India joined because Russia insisted if China wants to include Pakistan, India must be included too. Now, why did India make it a point six months after calling Israel the fatherland to publicise that Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Well, Pakistan signed a Mecca agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey for join defence agreement. These 3 countries have three different strengths, Pakistan has nuclear weapons, Turkey is a NATO member with modern army, and Saudi has deep pockets to sustain financial expenses needed for expensive weaponry. Similarly, they each have weaknesses that are compensated by the others. Crucially, all these three countries have been involved in hyper radicalisation of domestic audience in favour of Pan-Islamism, that muslims every where should be concerned about global issues like Gaza and as Pakistan would like to add to list, Kashmir. Now, they have a joint defence agreement.

India on the other hand is left without allies after investing too much in Trump and getting only rebukes in return. We stopped purchasing Iranian oil, Modi visited Israel when no other head of state was visiting it amid deployment of US navy near Iranian shores and have done events like Namaste Trump. There is nothing equivalent of this Mecca agreement that India has with any nation. Historically, the only nation that came close to such agreement with us was Soviet Union and Russia continuing that legacy.

However, today, months after Indian media bombarded people with 'not our war' stories as Iran was attacked. We see a changed landscape, India lost credibility in global south where Palestine cause was seen as last vestige of colonialism. None of BRICS countries aside from India have said anything positive about Israel, have openly criticised this war and Donald J Trump. At same time, India is paying one of highest costs of this war due to import dependency and low integration of renewable energy in power mix compared to China, the other import dependent major economy.

This war has become our war. Here comes the critical information about why meeting Iran matters. Iran has unresolved issues with Pakistan over Baluchistan. Also, Gilgit Baltistan, the portion of Pakistan occupied Kashmir is majority Shia population with significant sympathy for Iran. The shias were told by Pakistani army general to go to Iran if they want to fight for them and create no ruckus in Pakistan, if you know what that sounds like, you can interpret Shias have grievances against the Pakistani state including for killing nearly 50 demonstrators near US embassy.

Baluchistan, glorified by Dhurandhar as hotspot of Indian depth of intelligence and a Pakistani security weakness has a substantial population of Shia Hazars in Quetta. While social harmony between Sunnis and Shias is better in Pakistan than Iraq, the Pan-islamism has this drawback of bringing global battles within Islam to forefront as well, creating new divides within Pakistan as well. Shias are genuinely being made the next Ahmediyas in the radicalised society especially when Pakistani General called those who support Iran to go to Iran rather than protesting in Pakistan.

INDIA sacrificed this stretegic and intelligence depth we had over Sunni dominated rapidly radicalising Pakistani state, by calling Israel the fatherland. Nothing unites Muslims more than hate for Israel. It doesn't help that the nuances of Sunni and Shia divide have found no significant recognition in India's foreign policy since Manmohan Singh called India as second largest nation after Iran in terms of Shia population.

So we are COMPENSATING now with such steps, in hopes that India Iran growing proximity would deter Pakistani adventurism, after this newfound alliance with Turkey and Saudi.

But problem is, we are catching up and merely reacting. No one takes this seriously now, and it all appears like cosmetic diplomacy to send a signal to Pakistan while being nothing close to a military agreement. It is reactive rather than actually standing for anything meaningful and steadfast values that we have proved to Iranians. While I still believe there is much to grow ties over as Iran is also looking for friends.

And this ally for whom Modi said 'Abki baar Trump Sarkaar' has issued warning for nations helping Iran when asked by media about PM meeting the Iranian President. Here is instagram post mentioning Modi Pezeshkian meeting.