“Tourism is not just about economics; it’s a tool for diplomacy”: Rishabh Sethi on the role of youth within BRICS

At a strategic session on tourism held during the BRICS+ Business Forum in St. Petersburg, Rishabh Sethi — an expert analyst in international relations, BRICS affairs, and public diplomacy, and a member of GlobUs — noted that the BRICS architecture rests on three pillars: political security, economic cooperation, and humanitarian diplomacy.

“Tourism should not be viewed merely as an isolated economic sector. It is an indispensable tool for public diplomacy, capable of overcoming contemporary geopolitical tensions,” he stated.

According to Mr. Sethi, youth exchanges are of particular importance. In an era marked by information wars and polarization, young travelers serve as “cultural ambassadors.”

“They document their authentic experiences, share them on social media, and directly dismantle stereotypes. Direct interaction allows people to learn about the history and traditions of their partners firsthand — a fact already demonstrated by exchange programs between India and Russia over the past year,” Mr. Sethi remarked.

He added that the harmonization of tourism protocols and the development of new tourism products represent practical steps toward a multipolar world.

Furthermore, Mr. Sethi met with the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, and the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), Alexander Shokhin. During these discussions, the GlobUs member emphasized the importance of deep integration among BRICS nations to foster sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation across the Global South.

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