In recent years, the BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has increasingly garnered attention as a key platform in reshaping global geopolitics. Originally formed as an economic bloc of emerging markets, BRICS has transcended its initial purpose to become a major player in the international political arena. With the recent expansion that includes countries such as Argentina, Egypt, and Iran, BRICS now wields even greater influence. This move has profound implications for the global balance of power, with particular emphasis on the strategic role India plays within the group.
The expansion of BRICS is not just a symbolic move but a strategic step to counterbalance Western-dominated institutions like the G7, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank. The inclusion of new member countries from different continents aims to bolster BRICS’ relevance in global governance. The expansion speaks to a growing dissatisfaction among emerging economies with the status quo, which has long been dominated by the U.S. and its allies.
China, in particular, has been a key advocate of expanding the BRICS group, seeing it as a way to counterbalance U.S. hegemony and project its own influence. Russia, embroiled in a geopolitical conflict with the West due to the Ukraine crisis, also views BRICS as an opportunity to forge alternative alliances. However, for BRICS to truly emerge as a formidable force on the world stage, India’s participation and leadership are crucial.
India is a key pillar of BRICS, both for its economic prowess and its strategic importance. Unlike China and Russia, India maintains robust diplomatic and economic ties with the West, making it a unique player in the group. This duality allows India to act as a bridge between BRICS and Western powers, offering a balanced approach that can temper the bloc’s more aggressive anti-Western stance.
From an economic perspective, India is the fastest-growing major economy in BRICS, and its market potential makes it a key partner in intra-BRICS trade and investment. India’s services sector, especially in IT, has long been a global leader, and its industrial and agricultural capacities have also been expanding. Moreover, India’s large consumer base provides a lucrative market for BRICS countries looking to diversify trade away from the West.
Strategically, India holds a position that complements the objectives of BRICS without fully aligning with China’s hegemonic aspirations. While China’s influence within BRICS is strong, India provides a counterbalance that ensures the group doesn’t become overly dominated by one member. The ideological differences between India and China, especially regarding sovereignty, democratic governance, and market freedoms, prevent BRICS from becoming a monolithic bloc. This diversity is its strength, and India’s presence makes BRICS more palatable to other potential members, especially democratic nations.
For India, BRICS provides a platform to pursue its broader foreign policy objectives, particularly its vision of a multipolar world. India’s foreign policy has traditionally emphasized strategic autonomy, and BRICS offers an ideal forum for advancing that. By participating actively in BRICS, India can diversify its international partnerships without being beholden to any single global power or alliance.
The expansion of BRICS presents India with several opportunities
- Economic Opportunities: The inclusion of countries like Argentina and Egypt opens new avenues for trade and investment. These countries have complementary economic structures that can foster mutual growth through intra-BRICS trade. Additionally, India can leverage the New Development Bank (NDB), a financial institution created by BRICS, to fund key infrastructure projects within its borders.
- Energy Security: The addition of major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and Iran into BRICS could be a game-changer for India’s energy security. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, India could negotiate more favorable terms for energy imports from BRICS member countries, reducing its dependence on volatile global oil markets.
- Diplomatic Clout: With BRICS’ expanded footprint, India can amplify its diplomatic influence in regions like Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. This dovetails with India’s aspirations to enhance its global standing and secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, an ambition that BRICS could collectively support.
- Global Governance Reforms: India has long called for reform of global institutions like the IMF and World Bank, where Western nations maintain disproportionate control. Through BRICS, India can advocate for a more equitable global governance structure that better reflects the realities of the 21st century.
Despite the opportunities, India’s position in BRICS is not without challenges. The most significant issue is managing its relationship with China. The two countries have a long-standing border dispute and conflicting geopolitical interests, particularly in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The expansion of BRICS to include nations closer to China’s sphere of influence, such as Iran, could strengthen Beijing’s hand within the group, potentially sidelining India’s voice on key issues.
Furthermore, BRICS’ growing alignment with Russia and China, both of which are seen as adversarial by the U.S., could strain India’s delicate balancing act. India has strong strategic ties with the U.S., especially in defense and technology sectors, and an overly pro-China or pro-Russia tilt within BRICS could complicate these relationships. However, India’s ability to maintain a leadership role in BRICS while continuing its engagements with the West will be a testament to its diplomatic agility.
The larger question that emerges from BRICS’ expansion is whether it can effectively challenge Western dominance in global affairs. Economically, the group now accounts for over 40% of the world’s population and a significant portion of global GDP. If BRICS members can deepen their economic integration, particularly by promoting trade in local currencies rather than the U.S. dollar, they could indeed create a viable alternative to the Western-led financial order.
However, BRICS faces internal challenges that may limit its ability to act as a cohesive unit. The differing political systems, economic models, and strategic objectives of member countries could hinder coordinated action. India and China, in particular, have vastly different visions for the global order, and reconciling these differences will be crucial for the group’s future success.
The expansion of BRICS marks a pivotal moment in global geopolitics, signaling a shift away from the unipolar world order dominated by the U.S. For India, this presents both opportunities and challenges. As a key member of BRICS, India can leverage the group to advance its economic and diplomatic interests while maintaining its strategic autonomy. However, managing its relations with China and balancing its partnerships with the West will require careful navigation.
India’s role in BRICS is not just important—it is indispensable. Its presence ensures that the group remains a forum for multipolar dialogue rather than a platform for Chinese or Russian hegemony. As BRICS continues to evolve, India’s strategic choices will play a critical role in shaping the future of global governance.
(Author is a Columnist and can be reached at: [email protected])
