The BRICS Journey — Gaining Heft While in Transition (GS Paper 2, IR)
Context
- There is a growing recognition that BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) has the potential to exert significant global influence, especially as it continues to expand.
- Over time, the group’s shifting dynamics and its ability to adapt have shaped its journey, helping it gain weight on the international stage.
Introduction: Evolution of BRICS
- A lot has changed for BRICS in just one year. At the 2023 summit in Johannesburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a brief digital appearance due to an ICC arrest warrant related to the Ukraine conflict, overshadowing the summit’s discussions.
- However, by the 2024 Kazan summit, Putin dominated the discussions, and the summit addressed major international concerns, particularly conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, reflecting BRICS' evolving role in global geopolitics.
The Early Years and Expansion
BRICS, which began as BRIC in 2009 with just Brazil, Russia, India, and China, welcomed South Africa in 2011. However, its second decade (from 2020 onwards) faced substantial challenges:
- COVID-19 put China on the defensive.
- The Galwan Valley clash in 2020 between India and China strained relations.
- Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine led to geopolitical tensions with NATO, putting the grouping at risk.
Despite these challenges, BRICS demonstrated resilience, with expansion being a key theme. The 15th summit in 2023 saw the addition of five new members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Russia projected that BRICS now represents the “Global Majority”, signaling the group’s expanding influence.
Kazan Summit 2024: Assessing the Transition
The 2024 Kazan summit marks a new phase in BRICS’ transition. The group does not aim to overthrow the current world order but seeks to reform it, advocating for a system that works for the Global South. This commitment is framed around a “BRICS spirit”, characterized by:
- Mutual respect and understanding
- Sovereign equality
- Solidarity
- Democracy
- Openness and inclusiveness
- Collaboration and consensus
BRICS continues to focus on three key areas:
- Political and security cooperation
- Economic and financial cooperation
- Cultural and people-to-people exchanges
Current Composition and Focus
- From its origins as a platform for emerging economies, BRICS has evolved into a platform representing Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs). Its members, though diverse, share an anti-Western orientation.
- However, moderate members within BRICS emphasize the importance of maintaining a non-Western approach while avoiding polarization.
Key Discussions at Kazan 2024
- United Nations Reform: BRICS reaffirmed its support for comprehensive UN reform, particularly its advocacy for a larger role for countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including India, Brazil, and South Africa in the UN Security Council.
- Unilateral Economic Sanctions: The summit called for the elimination of unilateral economic sanctions, highlighting that such measures violate international law and negatively impact human rights.
- West Asia Conflict: The summit extensively discussed the West Asia conflict, criticizing Israel’s actions but not addressing the October 7 Hamas attack. BRICS called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
- War in Ukraine: With Russia chairing BRICS, the group chose to downplay the Ukraine war, merely reiterating their national positions and emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the conflict.
Economic and Financial Cooperation: Challenges and Progress
- Common Currency and Local Currencies: One of the significant topics was the use of local currencies for trade among BRICS members, reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar. There were discussions on exploring deeper financial and banking cooperation, but this remains a work in progress, studied by finance ministries.
- New Development Bank (NDB): The NDB has not received the expected capital infusion, particularly from Saudi Arabia, but efforts to improve the bank’s structure and its role as a new Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) are ongoing.
Expansion and BRICS Partner States
At the Kazan summit, BRICS introduced a new category of “partner states”, inviting 13 countries to join as partners, including:
- Latin America: Cuba and Bolivia
- Eurasia: Belarus and Turkey
- Africa: Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
These new partnerships signal a significant expansion in BRICS’ global influence, covering a larger share of the world’s population, trade, and GDP. As these partners seek full membership, the grouping is expected to continue its transition into a more inclusive and globally influential entity.
India’s Role and Strategic Interests in BRICS
India considers BRICS as one of its top six plurilateral groupings, alongside the G-20, Quad, BIMSTEC, G-7 (where India has a guest status), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Key strategic benefits for India include:
- Multipolarity: BRICS allows India to promote a more multipolar world, balancing power away from Western dominance.
- Strategic Autonomy: India uses BRICS to exercise strategic autonomy, building stronger relations with Russia and effectively advocating for the interests of the Global South.
- India-China Relations: The summit facilitated an important meeting between India’s Prime Minister Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping, signaling a potential thaw in India-China relations after years of tensions.
Conclusion
- India sees BRICS as a pivotal platform for enhancing international cooperation.
- As the group continues its expansion and transition, India remains committed to making BRICS an effective instrument for global governance.
- The increasing membership and cooperation within the bloc present an opportunity to elevate India’s strategic position, positioning New Delhi as a key bridge between the Global North and Global South.
- The evolving BRICS grouping reflects India's growing influence in shaping global geopolitics.
