Russia in Global Affairs

Russia’s revised list of states offering “adequate” protection of personal data came into force on 30 October 2026, following Roskomnadzor’s Order #253, which excluded Ukraine and the U.S. but retained China and India. Moscow has thus recognized the validity of the data regimes of its two major trading partners for its own transfer rules.

The 18th BRICS Summit, to be held on 12–13 September 2026 under India’s chairmanship at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is set to be a major diplomatic spectacle. BRICS+ should use the 18th BRICS Summit to make one proposition unmistakable: the Global South will enter the emerging digital order as a rule-maker, not a rule-taker.

Russia-India economic engagement has moved from exploratory trade into a sustained cooperation at scale. Legal alignment will determine whether this cooperation continues smoothly or face limits. The task is to reduce uncertainty where it matters most. When contracts are clearer, certifications are recognized, payments settle with confidence, the relationship becomes easier to sustain.

The global energy system has entered a period of a profound structural transformation. As the escalating war in the Middle East continues to disrupt traditional energy supply routes and, and the global geoeconomic fragmentation is reshaping trade patterns, a new Eurasian energy architecture is emerging with three pivotal actors—Russia, China, and India—forming its basis.

As Russia pivots towards Asia amidst Western sanctions, the incentives to forge deeper business ties with India have never been greater. By focusing on strategic, sector-specific integration, supported by the new rupee-ruble settlement system, both nations are poised to build a more balanced and resilient economic partnership, capable of thriving amid global uncertainties.

Ultimately, the future of BRICS+ hinges on Russia, India, and China’s capacity to overcome their divisions and remain committed to collective progress. If the RIC nations harmonize trade policies, digital systems, and innovation agendas, they can solidify their role as the nucleus of a more inclusive, multipolar world order—one that reflects the true aspirations of the Global South.

American diplomacy has often prioritized short-term objectives over fostering durable regional frameworks. It remains uncertain whether Washington genuinely played a decisive role or is merely capitalizing on developments primarily shaped through direct bilateral engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Trump's aggressive stance underscores a broader strategy to reassert U.S. dominance in global trade and finance. By leveraging tariffs as a punitive measure, the administration aims to deter developing nations, both fast-developing and still underdeveloped, from pursuing economic policies that could dilute the dollar's supremacy. However, this approach could trigger retaliatory measures.

India's pursuit of "strategic autonomy," somewhat akin to that of France, underlines a broader global strategy to balance great power politics without becoming overly dependent on any single ally. Modi's new administration will now aim to navigate these complexities.