News18 (English) ·
India Hosted BRICS, But Why Is Western Media Still Stuck On Cycles, Mopeds And The Old India Narrative?
The western media coverage pattern raises a legitimate question about how India continues to be visually framed by parts of the international media.
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi brought together leaders of an expanded 11-member grouping representing about half the world’s population, with India using its 2026 chairship to push discussions on trade, technology, energy security, global governance and a larger role for the Global South.
Yet, alongside coverage of the summit, a different visual narrative attracted attention: photographs showing cyclists, moped riders, labourers and ordinary streets around BRICS banners and images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From New York Times to France 24 and Al Jazeera Qatar, all media outlets used similar images for BRICS coverage.