India’s ‘Fab 4’ mission across the globe : India has strengthened its relations with about four strategic and economically important partners. This includes National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to Beijing, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Canada and the United States and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Japan.
Issues such as border management, energy security, investment, technology and manufacturing were prioritized in all these visits. Their timing is also important. India will host the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, which will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend.
With China, discussions are now taking place along the border dispute as well as investment. Discussions with Russia include issues such as energy, fertilizers and growing trade imbalances. In Japan, Goyal sought to forge investment and manufacturing partnerships, while Sitharaman is meeting investors and financial firms in Canada. At this time, two aspects that are often viewed separately – India’s security relations and its economic interests – are also coming together. Let’s discuss this in detail…
Border and investment discussions with China
Doval’s visit to Beijing on August 24-25 focused on the India-China border dispute. During the 25th round of Special Representative talks, both sides agreed to continue work on border demarcation and management and to use diplomatic and military channels to address border situations. India and China also agreed to establish meeting points and military hotlines in the eastern and central sectors.
India also conveyed to China the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the border. Both sides agreed to continue efforts towards a political solution to the border issue. Security discussions are now taking place along with business and investment discussions. According to an ET report, over $500 million of Chinese investment has flowed into India under the changed rules.
According to an ET report, India and China are mulling a new framework for business-to-business exchanges and investments. Discussions included ways to accelerate the flow of Chinese investment and ease the approval process for investment in non-strategic sectors. According to the report, Beijing may also announce an investment package during Xi’s possible BRICS visit. Proposals under discussion include investment in special economic zones and export processing zones, but no commitments have been confirmed.
There are also limitations on the investment proposals under discussion. According to the report, sensitive sectors including projects along the Line of Actual Control and defense projects have been excluded from such investments. India also wants greater access to Chinese technology and essential raw materials and more Chinese imports from India to help reduce the trade deficit.
Russia: Energy Supply and the Growing Trade Gap
Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow on August 23-24 focused on both energy security and trade. Jaishankar told the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting that India-Russia goods trade has quadrupled in five years – from around $13 billion in 2021-22 to around $60 billion in 2025-26. However, India’s trade deficit with Russia has also increased from $6.6 billion to over $50 billion.
Correcting this imbalance is one of our top priorities today, Jaishankar said. India and Russia have set a target of reaching $100 billion in trade by 2030. Jaishankar outlined measures to achieve this goal, including improving market access and removing trade barriers.
New Delhi now wants greater access to the Russian market for Indian goods as both sides work towards the $100 billion target. Energy and fertilizers are also important components of this relationship. During his meeting with Jaishankar, Putin assured India of uninterrupted supply of energy and fertilizers, despite disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis.
According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Putin said, “We are making all efforts to fully meet the needs of Indian farmers and the agricultural sector, increase this supply and continue to do so.
Japan: Investment, Technology and Production
Goyal’s August 24-27 visit to Japan focused on trade, investment and manufacturing. He led a 200-member business delegation, India’s largest ever to Japan. Discussions focused on semiconductors, components and manufacturing, all of which are critical to India’s 2047 mission.
India is interested in forming joint ventures with Japanese companies in pharmaceuticals and shipbuilding, Goyal said. His discussions also include investment opportunities in semiconductors, components, aluminium, paints and coatings and sportswear and footwear.
The debate on semiconductors and components comes at a time when India is looking to make it easier for high-tech manufacturers to operate in the country. Goyal has said the government will amend regulations to ease the approval process for semiconductor and auto-component manufacturing.
Canada: Attracting Investors
The main focus of Sitharaman’s visit to Canada has been investment and cooperation in the financial sector. The finance minister is on a visit to Canada and the United States from August 25 to September 2, where he will meet global investors and corporate executives and attend a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
In Canada, Sitharaman invited investors to participate in India’s growth story and highlighted the country’s strengths in scale, consumption, digital infrastructure and capital markets. He also highlighted opportunities in fintech, payments and financial services sectors.
On Wednesday, Sitharaman said there are opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Canadian banks, fintech companies and regulators, including in payments and digital financial infrastructure. He also talked about India’s digital ecosystem and allowing 100% FDI in the insurance sector. Meanwhile, India and Canada are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and both sides aim to complete the agreement by the end of 2026.
Before the BRICS summit
These four seats may be different, but their purpose is the same. India is trying to attract investment from various countries, increase production and exports and obtain energy, technology and essential inputs. Each relationship has its own form, which determines what is discussed and how quickly negotiations can proceed.
The timing of this contact is important as India prepares to host the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. Putin will attend, while Xi is also expected to visit India for the summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin and Xi held an informal Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting in Tianjin on September 1, 2025 ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. The upcoming BRICS summit will once again bring India’s relations with China and Russia on an equal diplomatic footing, while New Delhi is also strengthening its ties with other BRICS members.
