Kofi Mensah The BRICS alliance is currently convening in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a summit in August, with discussions centered around the potential creation of a gold-backed reserve currency. However, India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has made it clear that India has no interest in pursuing a common BRICS currency. Instead, the country’s focus lies in strengthening its own currency, the rupee.
India Rejects Common Currency Idea, Adjusts Oil Imports from Russia, and Increases U.S. Crude Purchases
Recent attention has been directed towards the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The upcoming BRICS ministers’ meeting in August will address the inclusion of new members to the alliance and the establishment of a gold-backed common currency. Rasoul Mousavi, a representative from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that a BRICS currency could benefit Iran and reduce the influence of the U.S. dollar.
While Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa support the notion of a common BRICS currency, India, as stated by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, remains uninterested. During a press conference on July 3, 2023, Jaishankar clarified that India’s sole focus lies in fortifying its own currency, the rupee. “As for the topics we will discuss at the BRICS meeting, we will have to wait and see. However, the concept of a BRICS currency is not on the table,” Jaishankar affirmed.
Additionally, the Indian external affairs minister conveyed that national currencies will remain a significant concern for the foreseeable future.
India’s GDP has exhibited resilience amidst global economic uncertainty, surpassing other BRICS members. Furthermore, a recent report from Goldman Sachs Research predicts that India could become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075. The Times of India reported that India, which maintains strong ties with the U.S. and Europe, is hesitant to risk its trade relationships with Western nations by endorsing an unreleased BRICS currency.
Moreover, recent data from energy intelligence company Vortexa indicates that India has increased its oil purchases from the United States while reducing imports of Russian crude. In May, Russian crude accounted for half of India’s imports. However, in June, daily oil imports from Russia to India decreased from 1.96 million barrels to 1.798 million barrels. The Times of India suggests that India may approach the addition of new members to the BRICS alliance with caution. Dr. Prashant Prabhakar Deshpande, a contributor to the newspaper, asserts that India will establish “well-established criteria for qualification.”
Prior to Jaishankar’s comments on July 3, an important development unfolded as President Joe Biden of the United States and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India highlighted the exceptional partnership between their nations, referring to them as two of the “closest partners in the world.”
What are your thoughts on India’s decision to prioritize the rupee over a common BRICS currency? Do you perceive it as a strategic move or a missed opportunity for economic integration? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about rupee strength
What is the stance of India’s External Affairs Minister regarding the BRICS common currency?
India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has made it clear that India is not interested in pursuing a common BRICS currency. Instead, the focus is on strengthening India’s own currency, the rupee.
Why is India prioritizing the rupee over a BRICS common currency?
India’s decision to prioritize the rupee over a BRICS common currency is driven by several factors. Firstly, India’s GDP has shown resilience amidst global economic uncertainty, outperforming other BRICS nations. Additionally, India has strong trade relationships with the United States and Europe, and endorsing a yet-to-be-released BRICS currency could potentially jeopardize these ties. Furthermore, India aims to establish well-defined criteria for the inclusion of new members into the BRICS alliance.
Is India reducing its imports of Russian crude oil?
Yes, recent data indicates that India has been reducing its imports of Russian crude oil. In May, Russian crude accounted for half of India’s oil imports, but in June, there was a decrease in daily oil imports from Russia to India. This shift suggests that India may be adjusting its energy trade relationships.
What are the potential implications of India’s decision on a BRICS common currency?
India’s decision to prioritize the rupee over a BRICS common currency can be seen as a strategic move to safeguard its economic interests. By focusing on strengthening the rupee, India aims to maintain stability and control over its currency and trade relationships. However, some may argue that it could be a missed opportunity for deeper economic integration within the BRICS bloc.
More about rupee strength
- India’s External Affairs Minister Shuns BRICS Currency Talks
- BRICS alliance
- Gold-backed reserve currency
- India’s GDP growth and resilience
- India’s trade relationships with the United States and Europe
- Oil imports data from Vortexa
- Potential implications of India’s decision
