September 10, 2026: A possible meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping could become a major development in global geopolitics. The proposed US-Russia-China engagement has raised questions over whether the emergence of a powerful “G-3” could weaken BRICS, change global alliances and create new strategic challenges for India. Key Highlights Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping could hold a major meeting. The possible US-Russia-China “G-3” is drawing attention in geopolitical circles. The meeting could have implications for BRICS and its growing global influence. India could face a more complicated strategic environment if the three powers move closer. A US-Russia-China grouping would not automatically make BRICS irrelevant. India’s relationships with the US and Russia remain important to its geopolitical strategy. Trump, Putin and Xi Meeting: Why It Matters A meeting involving Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping would bring together the leaders of three of the world's most influential powers. The United States, Russia and China have major economic, military and diplomatic influence. While their interests often clash, any effort by the three countries to engage directly at the highest level could have consequences far beyond the meeting itself. The possibility of such a gathering has therefore triggered debate over whether Washington, Moscow and Beijing could establish a new form of strategic understanding. Could the US-Russia-China G-3 Make BRICS Irrelevant? The emergence of a potential US-Russia-China grouping could raise questions about the future relevance of BRICS. However, it would be too early to conclude that BRICS would become irrelevant. BRICS has expanded beyond its original five-member structure and represents a wider group of emerging economies. Its importance comes from economic cooperation, trade, development and the growing role of countries outside the traditional Western-led institutions. A G-3 involving the US, Russia and China would be very different from BRICS. One would represent concentrated great-power diplomacy, while the other is a broader multilateral platform. Therefore, even if Trump, Putin and Xi develop closer coordination, BRICS could continue to remain relevant as a platform for the Global South and emerging economies. Will This Isolate India? India could find itself facing a more complicated geopolitical situation, but that does not necessarily mean isolation. New Delhi maintains important relationships with both Washington and Moscow, while China remains one of India's most significant strategic competitors. India has also increasingly positioned itself as a country capable of maintaining strategic partnerships with different powers rather than becoming completely dependent on any single bloc. If the US, Russia and China begin coordinating more closely, India may have to work harder to protect its strategic interests and maintain its influence across different international groupings. What Does It Mean for India? For India, the biggest concern would be the possibility of major decisions being shaped by three powerful countries without sufficient consideration of New Delhi's interests. A closer US-Russia-China relationship could affect issues ranging from trade and energy to defence, technology and international institutions. At the same time, India's strong relationship with the US gives New Delhi significant strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific. Its defence and energy relationship with Russia also remains an important factor. This means India is unlikely to simply become a passive player. Instead, New Delhi could attempt to use its relationships with multiple powers to maintain strategic autonomy.(READ MORE : BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi to Meet Putin, Su-57 Deal on Agenda; Date, Schedule, Venue) Why BRICS Still Matters for India BRICS remains important for India because it provides New Delhi with another platform to engage with emerging economies and push for a greater voice for developing countries in global institutions. India has also consistently sought a balance between its relationships with Western powers and countries such as Russia. A possible Trump-Putin-Xi meeting could therefore make BRICS diplomacy more complicated, but it does not automatically eliminate India's influence within the grouping. Latest Update The possibility of a Trump-Putin-Xi Jinping meeting has triggered fresh debate over the future of global alliances and the role of BRICS. While a US-Russia-China “G-3” could significantly influence world geopolitics, it is too early to say that it would make BRICS irrelevant or isolate India. For New Delhi, the key challenge will be maintaining strategic autonomy while managing its relationships with the US, Russia, China and the wider BRICS grouping.
