New Delhi, 11 September (H.S.): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday hit out at the Congress over its questions regarding the BRICS summit, saying that at a time when heads of state from several major countries are in India, Congress leaders are asking what the country stands to gain from BRICS. He said the Congress should also remember India’s economic and global position during its years in power.

Addressing a press conference here, Prasad said the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest report, had highlighted the strength and resilience of the Indian economy. He said the IMF had also acknowledged India’s progress across various sectors, including services, manufacturing and trade, describing these developments as evidence of the country’s strengthening economy.

Referring to the BRICS summit, the BJP MP said the President of Russia had already arrived in India. The President of China would arrive in Delhi the following day, while the President of Iran had also departed for India. The Presidents of South Africa and Egypt had also reached Delhi. He said leaders representing a significant part of the world were currently present in the national capital.

“At a time like this, some senior Congress leaders are asking what India will gain from BRICS,” Prasad said, adding that the answer to this question should be sought by looking at history.

Prasad said that in 2011, 2012 and 2013, India’s economy had been counted among the “Fragile Five” economies. During that period, Goldman Sachs had made serious observations about India’s economic condition. He claimed that there was talk of investment drying up in India and that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that several international agencies had even suggested replacing India with Indonesia in the BRICS grouping.

The BJP MP said this reflected India’s position at that time, whereas the country today is playing a stronger role on the global economic and diplomatic stage. He urged Congress leaders to compare India during their tenure with the India of today before questioning the significance and benefits of BRICS for the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar