Vietnam's BRICS Participation: A Path to Strategic Autonomy and Diversified Diplomacy

S.D. Pradhan, former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, stated that the active participation and practical contributions of partner countries, including Vietnam, played a role in the overall success of the 18th BRICS summit. He noted that for Vietnam, its status as a partner country offers an opportunity to diversify its external ties and better align with emerging drivers of growth. Vietnam should seize the opportunity presented by BRICS expansion, not just as a framework for economic cooperation, but as a crucial platform to pursue its own "strategic autonomy." This is essential for reducing dependence on any single country and promoting a more balanced foreign policy. While reaffirming its role within the ASEAN framework, Vietnam is expected to enhance its influence in the international community through active engagement in new multilateral forums like BRICS. The country's advancement of multilateral diplomacy will further highlight its presence amidst global supply chain restructuring and geopolitical shifts. The attendance of Prime Minister (at the time) Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at the BRICS Summit in India demonstrated Vietnam's proactive stance in multilateral diplomacy. Meetings with leaders of various countries and international organizations on the sidelines of the summit provided significant opportunities for Vietnam to deepen its international cooperation and maximize its national interests. Vietnam is believed to view BRICS expansion as a key step to further refine its foreign policy strategy and expand its role on the international stage.