Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, defended the benefits of BRICS for India after senior party colleague P. Chidambaram questioned the tangible outcomes of recent BRICS summits. Chidambaram, in a statement, said he had not seen significant results from the last two or three meetings, expressing skepticism about the value of India's participation in BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the G20, and the Quad. Tharoor countered that the summit represented a significant diplomatic achievement, emphasizing India's role as a leader in the Global South. He noted that the BRICS grouping represents a majority of the world's population and 41% of global GDP, underscoring its importance on the global stage.

The BJP swiftly responded to Chidambaram's remarks, with leader Pradeep Bhandari accusing the Congress of internal disarray. Bhandari claimed that some Congress members were opposing BRICS on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi, suggesting a lack of unity within the party. The BJP's criticism followed a broader pattern of attacking Chidambaram's diplomatic record, with Nalin Kohli questioning the Congress's historical approach to diplomacy since independence. Kohli referenced past events such as the Sharm El Sheikh summit and the portrayal of Pakistan as a victim of terror, implying that the Congress's diplomatic efforts have been ineffective.

Tharoor, known for his independent views, has long been at odds with the Congress over various issues, including his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy. His remarks on BRICS were consistent with his broader stance that India's global standing is enhanced through multilateral engagement. Tharoor acknowledged the challenges of consensus among BRICS nations, particularly on issues like the Ukraine war and Iran's role in the global economy. However, he maintained that the summit's prestige and diplomatic value are significant, even if tangible economic benefits remain unclear.

The Congress has struggled to manage Tharoor's independent voice, with party leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi attempting to reconcile differences ahead of the Kerala assembly elections. Tharoor has consistently denied any intention to defect to the BJP, stating that his comments are always in the interest of India. Despite these efforts, the tension between Tharoor and the Congress persists, with the BJP capitalizing on the perceived internal conflict to criticize the party's unity and effectiveness.

The debate over BRICS benefits highlights broader tensions within the Congress and the BJP's strategy to exploit internal party divisions. While Tharoor's defense of BRICS emphasizes its diplomatic value, Chidambaram's skepticism reflects concerns about the lack of tangible outcomes. The absence of a clear consensus on the summit's impact leaves the issue open to interpretation, with both parties using the debate to advance their political narratives. The situation remains unresolved, with no indication of a unified response from the Congress or Tharoor on the allegations of internal disarray.

What remains unknown is the extent to which BRICS has delivered tangible benefits for India, and whether the summit's outcomes will be measurable in the near future. The debate continues to unfold, with both parties using the issue to critique each other's policies and internal cohesion. The lack of a definitive answer on the summit's impact underscores the complexity of evaluating multilateral engagements in a rapidly changing global landscape.