Brics, the group of countries made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has been gaining momentum and expanding its membership. At the recent annual summit in Russia, Brics welcomed four new members – Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion is seen as a significant step forward for the group that has often been dismissed by Western critics.
India, despite being one of the more Western-oriented members of Brics, stands to benefit greatly from the group’s evolution and growth. India has strong ties with most of the new Brics members, including Egypt, the UAE, and Ethiopia. These relationships are crucial for India’s trade and security interests in the Middle East and Africa.
Moreover, Brics provides India with a platform to maintain its relationships with key partners like Russia and China. By participating in Brics, India can signal its commitment to these friendships while also pursuing its core foreign policy principle of strategic autonomy. This allows India to balance its relations with various geopolitical players without forming formal alliances.
While some may worry that Brics could become an anti-Western bloc, such fears are largely unfounded. The group’s recent joint statement highlights its commitment to principles that align with India’s priorities, such as engaging with the Global South and advocating for UN reform. Additionally, Brics projects aimed at reducing reliance on the US dollar may face challenges due to the diverse economic interests of member states.
Despite its potential, Brics still faces internal challenges and struggles to achieve consensus among its members. India’s strained relations with China and other potential conflicts between new members could hinder the group’s ability to implement significant initiatives. However, Brics’ focus on noncontroversial areas like climate change and public health cooperation offers India an ideal platform to collaborate with its partners without threatening the West.
Overall, India stands to benefit from its participation in Brics as the group continues to evolve and expand. By leveraging its relationships within the bloc and pursuing its strategic autonomy, India can navigate its foreign policy objectives while contributing to cooperative efforts on global issues. This nuanced approach allows India to engage with both Western and non-Western powers while maintaining a balanced position in the international arena.