Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday, 13 September expressed support for deeper cooperation among BRICS member nations, saying a stronger bond within the grouping could offer a 'hope-filled' path forward amid escalating global conflicts and mounting economic pressures. Her remarks came as BRICS leaders convened in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit.

Why Mayawati Called the Press Conference

Addressing reporters in Lucknow, the BSP chief said the press conference had been called to present the party's response to the BRICS Summit, raise concerns over Panchayati Department employees staging protests in Lucknow, and outline measures to strengthen the party's organisational reach at the grassroots level — particularly to expand its base among the Bahujan community. 'These are the three key issues for which the meeting has been called,' she said.

On Global Conflicts and the BRICS Role

Mayawati noted that the wars in Ukraine and Iran had compounded the challenges facing member nations, including tariff-related and broader economic difficulties. She argued that closer ties among BRICS members could provide a constructive direction amid this uncertain global climate. 'A stronger bond among BRICS nations will also be a hope-filled step,' she said, adding that the development of a BRICS currency would represent a significant step in deepening financial cooperation among member countries.

Palestine, Terrorism and India's Position

The BSP chief welcomed what she described as united BRICS support for a two-state solution and an independent Palestine based on the 1967 borders. She also highlighted the grouping's stated commitment to combating terrorism, noting that BRICS backing for India's position in the context of the Pahalgam terror attack had received appropriate support. Notably, the Pahalgam attack has remained a flashpoint in India's regional security discussions, and Mayawati's framing of BRICS solidarity on this issue reflects the BSP's intent to engage with foreign policy debates ahead of anticipated electoral cycles.

India-China Relations: A Wait-and-Watch Approach

On the sensitive question of India-China bilateral ties, Mayawati adopted a measured stance, saying the approach of ensuring that differences do not turn into disputes would 'have to be evaluated based on the results it produces.' She urged an early resolution of the border dispute between the two countries. 'It will be equally appropriate if the border issue between both countries is also resolved among themselves as early as possible,' she said. This comes amid a broader diplomatic reset between New Delhi and Beijing, with both sides reiterating the importance of treating each other as 'partners in development.'

BSP's Broader Political Context

Mayawati's decision to hold a press conference pegged to the BRICS Summit signals the party's effort to remain relevant on national and international policy questions. The BSP has historically focused on social justice issues, but this intervention into geopolitics and multilateral diplomacy underlines the party's attempt to widen its political footprint. How the party translates this positioning into grassroots mobilisation — particularly in Uttar Pradesh — will be watched closely in the months ahead.