BRICS at a Crossroads

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 2- International relation

Introduction

The U.S.–Israel attack on Iran has created a major geopolitical crisis for BRICS, a 10-nation bloc chaired by India. Iran’s membership has turned the conflict into a direct test of the grouping’s credibility. The crisis questions whether BRICS can protect its members and challenge Western dominance. It also exposes internal divisions and raises doubts about India’s leadership and the future of the multipolar world order.

BRICS and the Vision of a Multipolar World

1. Formation as a counterbalance to Western dominance: BRICS emerged to challenge the post-1945 global power structure dominated by the United States and Western institutions. The grouping aimed to create a platform where emerging economies could coordinate political and economic influence.
2. De-dollarisation as a core strategic objective: BRICS sought to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar-dominated financial system. This effort aimed to weaken Western financial control over global markets and payments.
3. Creation of alternative financial institutions: The bloc established the New Development Bank (NDB) as an alternative development financing institution. It represented an attempt to create financial systems outside Western-controlled institutions.
4. Development of alternative payment mechanisms: Initiatives such as China’s Cross Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and BRICS Pay aimed to build independent financial networks. These mechanisms sought to bypass Western-controlled financial gateways.
5. Security and geopolitical coordination through related forums: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)functioned as an indirectly connected geopolitical forum. It strengthened cooperation among non-Western powers in security and diplomacy.
6. Strategic aim of building an independent global order: Through these initiatives, BRICS attempted to construct an independent financial and political architecture. The effort aimed to provide an alternative to U.S. and Western dominance in global governance.

Expansion of BRICS and Iran’s Membership

1. Expansion reflecting growing geopolitical influence: The expansion of BRICS signalled the increasing importance of emerging economies in global politics. It strengthened the bloc’s ambition to represent the interests of the Global South.
2. Iran’s entry into BRICS in 2024: Iran formally joined the grouping in 2024, expanding BRICS to a 10-nation bloc. This membership enhanced the organisation’s strategic reach in West Asia.
3. Iran’s geopolitical significance for the bloc: Iran holds major importance in regional geopolitics, energy networks, and trade routes. Its inclusion strengthened the strategic depth of the BRICS coalition.
4. Earlier U.S.–Israel military action against Iran: Iran had already faced a 12-day conflict in June 2025, where its nuclear facilities and senior military and scientific leadership were targeted. This earlier attack had already exposed tensions between BRICS ambitions and Western power.
5. Collective response under Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship: During Brazil’s leadership, BRICS issued a strong joint statement condemning Israeli attacks as violations of international law. This response demonstrated earlier attempts at collective diplomatic action.

The Iran War and the Strategic Challenge for BRICS

1. U.S.–Israel attack eliminating Iran’s top leadership: The attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and dismantled the country’s top command structure. The operation was conducted without formal authorisation from the U.S. Congress.
2. Conflict as a challenge to the multipolar world order: The war cannot be treated as a simple regional dispute. It represents a direct confrontation with emerging multipolar institutions such as BRICS.
3. Rubio doctrine
4. Advocating Western dominance: At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for dismantling the multipolar order. His speech promoted a Western alliance to reclaim economic dominance over the Global South.
5. Economic competition targeting the Global South: The doctrine emphasised competition for market share in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The objective was to re-establish Western economic influence in post-colonial economies.
6. Criticism of international institutions: Rubio described the United Nations and other global institutions as ineffective. This statement reflected a belief that the current international system no longer serves Western strategic interests.
7. Historical comparison with colonial economic expansion: Analysts compared the situation to the East India Company’s expansion, where economic power and military force captured markets and governance. The comparison reflects fears of renewed economic dominance.
8. Exposure of internal contradictions within BRICS: The crisis highlighted differences among member states with incompatible strategic orientations. These divisions weakened the ability of the bloc to act as a unified geopolitical force.
9. Strategic message against resistance to U.S. primacy: The conflict sends a warning about the cost of challenging Western dominance. It raises doubts about the security and resilience of emerging multipolar institutions.

India’s Role as BRICS Chair

1. Absence of collective BRICS response: Under India’s chairmanship, no joint statement, emergency meeting, or coordinated diplomatic response was issued. This silence reduced BRICS’ credibility as a geopolitical bloc.
2. India’s silence on the assassination of Iran’s leader: India did not publicly express condolence after the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. This absence of diplomatic response drew criticism.
3. Individual responses from other BRICS members: Brazil, Russia, and China independently condemned the U.S. attack. However, the bloc failed to present a unified diplomatic position.
4. Shift in India’s geopolitical alignment: India has increasingly moved closer to the Quad and the United States. This shift reflects a departure from its traditional Nehruvian non-alignment policy.
5. Strategic autonomy interpreted as U.S. alignment: India describes its foreign policy as strategic autonomy, yet critics argue it has translated into closer alignment with the United States.
6. Violation of India’s security role in the Indian Ocean: The U.S. torpedoed the unarmed Iranian warship IRIS Dena in waters under India’s strategic influence. The attack occurred without intelligence sharing or prior consultation with India.
7. Weakening of India’s claim to Global South leadership: India’s silence during the crisis has eroded its claim of representing the Global South and acting as a moral diplomatic leader.

Conclusion

BRICS faces a decisive moment after the Iran crisis exposed its internal divisions and weak collective response. The grouping now stands at a crossroads. It can either strengthen political solidarity, build coordinated diplomacy, and create collective economic and energy frameworks, or risk fragmentation. The future relevance of BRICS will depend on whether its members act together to defend sovereignty and the interests of the Global South.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the Iran crisis has exposed the internal contradictions within BRICS and raised questions about its ability to challenge Western dominance in the emerging multipolar world order.

Source: The Hindu