It strengthens access to Europe, positions India in reworked value chains, and offers some insurance against United States trade pressure. The next is BRICS and the QuadEurope is the technocratic test of India’s white space diplomacy. As chair and host in 2026, India can steer BRICS toward delivery through better use of New Development Bank guarantees and practical toolkits that turn communiqués into action. Amid global volatility, India’s momentum in 2026 will come from turning white spaces into working arrangements. In 2026, India’s advantage will lie in making the tables that it chooses work.

Source: The Hindu January 20, 2026 15:22 UTC