The United States has reiterated its dedication to maintaining strong and positive relationships with India, Brazil, and South Africa. During a media briefing on Tuesday, US Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the US and these nations across various key areas. He also emphasized the importance of responsibly managing the US relationship with China.

When asked about the BRICS Summit, Patel said, "We believe all countries are sovereign and have the right to choose the groupings they associate with. The United States is focused on working with partners globally to build broad coalitions to achieve shared goals." He further emphasized the US's intent to enhance the value of its partnerships through investments and collaborations that align with the interests of other countries.

Patel also mentioned the importance of multilateral institutions such as the UN, G20, APEC, and ASEAN, stating that these are vital platforms for the US to engage with global partners. He highlighted that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains committed to strengthening these relationships.

Addressing US relations with China, Patel said the US aims to manage the competition with China responsibly, which is what the world expects of major powers. He also reiterated the US's stance on Russia, noting that the US will continue to push back against Russian aggression and make it clear that "business as usual" with Russia is no longer acceptable.

When questioned about UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ attendance at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, rather than the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, Patel said, "I will let the Secretary-General and his team address their scheduling decisions. However, it is clear that the UN system has played an important role in holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine."

The 16th BRICS Summit, hosted by Russia in Kazan, focuses on "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," providing leaders with a platform to discuss critical global challenges.

BRICS, originally formed in 2006 by Russia, India, and China, expanded to include South Africa in 2010. In 2024, the group welcomed additional members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

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