TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 171
12 September 2026
PRERNA FOR IAS
(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)
TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 171
1. Is the BRICS push for local-currency trade an attempt to replace the U.S. dollar?
Answer: I would not see it as immediate de-dollarisation. BRICS countries are discussing linking national payment systems, expanding local-currency trade and improving cross-border payment efficiency. India has highlighted UPI, while discussions also cover fast-payment systems and central-bank digital currencies. Importantly, the stated objective is not to create a common BRICS currency replacing the dollar. For India, the advantage is lower transaction costs, reduced dependence on a single settlement system and wider international use of Indian digital infrastructure. However, currency internationalisation ultimately requires economic stability, deep financial markets and global confidence. Therefore, diversification is more realistic than sudden replacement of the dollar.
2. How should India balance its strategic partnership with Russia with its call for an end to the Ukraine war?
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Ten critical questions on BRICS, India-Russia ties, strategic autonomy, India-EU FTA and India's balanced approach to major geopolitical challenges.
Keywords
BRICS local currencygeopolitical issuesIndia Russia partnershipstrategic autonomyIndia EU FTAdollar replacementmultipolar systemeconomic security