BRICS now a non-Western grouping with the induction of six more member nations

Source: The post is based on the article “BRICS now a non-Western grouping with the induction of six more member nations”  published in The Hindu on 25th August 2023.

What is the News?

At the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg (South Africa), BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has invited six more countries to join the group.

Which are the six countries invited by BRICS to become members?

The six countries are: Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia. Their membership will begin in January,2024.

What is the significance of BRICS expansion?

The expansion of BRICS is significant for several reasons which are:

Increased Representation: Adding new members increases the group’s diversity and representation. This expansion brings in nations from different regions of the world, strengthening BRICS as a spokesperson for the developing world.

Demographic and Economic Powerhouse: BRICS already represents a substantial portion of the world’s population and GDP. With these additions, it will encompass an even larger share, nearly half of the world’s population. This strengthens its collective economic and demographic clout on the global stage.

Diverse Resource Base: The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, three major oil-producing nations adds a new dimension to BRICS. This diversifies the group’s resource base and potentially enhances its influence in global energy markets.

Geopolitical Significance: The expansion reflects China’s drive to make BRICS a more prominent international forum. It also highlights the growing influence of China and Russia in shaping global geopolitics, especially in regions where the West has had significant influence.

Multipolarity and Solidarity: There is a growing desire for multipolarity in international relations. BRICS provides a platform for countries from the Global South to express their solidarity and assert their influence in global affairs. This is especially important as an alternative to Western-dominated institutions.

Anti-West Sentiment: There is a perception of anti-US sentiment in the world, and some countries are looking for groupings where they can collectively challenge Western dominance. BRICS, with its diverse membership, can serve as a counterbalance to Western-centric international organizations.

Signaling Power: For Russia and Iran, BRICS membership serves as a signal to the West that they still have global partners and are not isolated. It can be a diplomatic tool to strengthen their positions in international negotiations.

Economic Assistance: Countries like Argentina, which are facing economic crises, may hope to receive financial aid or support from BRICS members.

What BRICS expansion means for India?

India, while participating in various international forums, continues to attach importance to BRICS as a platform for non-Western cooperation. 

It sees BRICS as a means to promote multipolarity and solidarity among countries of the Global South.

However, concerns have been raised that the group could become more pro-China and sideline India’s voice and interests.