Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Regional and global groupings, Issue: Role of BRICS+ in a new world order.
Context:
BRICS+ grouping is crucial in shaping a new global order. But the challenges, and internal dynamics, continue to pose challenge to this diverse grouping.
Key Highlights:
BRICS+ Expansion:
- Original BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- Evolution: what began as a financial acronym for investor interest in emerging markets has evolved into a platform to counter Western hegemony and promote multipolarity.
- Expanded version: With the addition of Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, BRICS has now 11 members.
- Credentials: It represents 41% of global population and has economic parity (in PPP terms) with G7.
Limitations of the grouping:
- Internal Contradictions: Members have divergent political systems, geopolitical alignments, and conflicting interests. For e.g., India vs. China and Iran vs. Saudi Arabia.
- China’s Growing Dominance: Beijing is driving the recent expansion. Russia’s war on Ukraine has pushed it closer to China. Only India formally recognizes China as a competitor; others maintain flexible stances.
- Absence of Key Leaders: Xi Jinping and Putin skipped the recent summit which indicates internal contradictions and strategic balancing acts (like China vis-à-vis U.S. trade).
- Mere talk shop: It risks becoming a talking shop without tangible outcomes. It is seen as a transactional platform rather than transformative.
But BRICS+ is still significant:
- Voice of global south: Despite lacking geopolitical cohesion, BRICS+ serves the strategic purpose of challenging U.S.-led world order and offering the Global South a voice in global governance.
- Alternative global governance: BRICS+ can push for reform in multilateral bodies like the UN and World Bank. It can push for a permanent UNSC seat for African nations.
India’s Role:
- Balancing role: India plays a balancing role between U.S. alignment and BRICS commitments.
- India’s vision: As a leader of the global south, India can offer economic alternatives to Western-dominated systems and push for reforms in Bretton Woods institutions.
Conclusion:
In a world with failing post-WWII institutions, BRICS+ can force reforms, enhance multipolarity and empower emerging economies. “The group may lack geopolitical cohesion but can still serve a purpose that its member would value.”
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