At Rio, the BRICS Projected the Voice of the Global South
The 17th BRICS summit at Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7 concluded with members committing to strengthening multilateralism, defending international law, and striving for a more equitable global order.
Given the myriad global challenges, including war and economic upheavals, amid which the Rio Summit took place, it was no surprise that Brazil, which hosted the summit for the fourth time since its founding in 2009, chose the theme, 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.'
The summit focused on reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, economic and financial affairs, and artificial intelligence and global health. The Rio Declaration included 'a commitment to reforming and improving global governance.'
It was forthright in criticizing the Donald Trump administration's imposition of unilateral sanctions and trade-limiting measures. There was a strong call — some say much more robustly than before — for the 'need to adapt the current architecture of international relations to better reflect the contemporary realities.' The declaration reaffirmed the group's 'commitment to multilateralism and upholding the international law' with a recognition of the 'central role of the UN in the international system.' This must be seen against the backdrop of Trump's moves to pull the U.S. away from multilateral institutions and his penchant for imposing unilateral tariffs on countries with whom the U.S. has a trade deficit.
Importantly, BRICS endorsed a bigger role for the Global South by calling for 'greater and more meaningful participation and representation' of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries, as well as Least Developed Countries, especially from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in global decision-making processes and structures.
'We highlight the importance of the Global South as a driver for positive change, especially in the face of significant international challenges, including deepening geopolitical tensions, rapid economic downturns and technological changes, protectionist measures and migratory challenges. We believe BRICS countries continue to play a pivotal role in voicing the concerns and priorities of the Global South, as well as in promoting a more just, sustainable, inclusive, representative and stable international order based on international law,' it said.
The Rio Summit criticized the military strikes on Iran last month. However, neither the U.S. nor Israel was named. But it did express 'grave concern' over 'the resumption of continuous Israeli attacks against Gaza and obstruction of the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.' There was also condemnation of 'the use of starvation as a method of warfare.'
For India, a key takeaway from the summit was the BRICS' declaration's condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Although Pakistan, which India believes was behind the attack, was not named in the statement, the fact that the declaration underlined the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism was endorsed by China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is a matter of satisfaction. China is Pakistan's avowed all-weather friend, while Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which routinely criticizes India on Kashmir. This, especially against the backdrop of a perception in India that its military action, Operation Sindoor, had not garnered much international support.
BRICS' condemnation of the attack at Pahalgam was all the more significant as only last month, a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting in China, under pressure from China and Pakistan, kept out any reference to the attack. India had refused to sign the SCO joint statement.
With Brazil passing the baton of the BRICS chair to India, New Delhi will have an opportunity to set a constructive and forward-looking agenda.
Currently, BRICS brings together eleven major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 percent of the global population, around 40 percent of the global GDP and around 26 percent of global trade.
As the chair of the G-20 in 2023, India positioned itself as the voice of the Global South, holding discussions with countries unrepresented at the G-20 table and including their inputs for the Delhi summit. It also took the initiative to welcome the African Union as a full member of the G-20. As the host of the BRICS summit in 2026, India will have the opportunity to burnish its credentials as a voice of the Global South.
India has already set its aim to 'redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.' In his remarks at Rio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India would 'advance this forum with a people-centric approach and the spirit of 'Humanity First.'' In that, India would be taking the path it took at the G-20 Summit in Delhi when it incorporated inclusivity as a central plank of its presidency and spotlighted the concerns of the Global South.
India has been pushing developed countries to commit to increased funding and technology transfers for countries of the Global South to strengthen their capacity to fight climate change. This is likely to figure prominently in the agenda India sets for the BRICS summit next year.
Brazil, Russia, India and China founded BRICS — then known as BRIC — in 2009. The grouping's membership has grown since. South Africa joined in 2011, and Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE in 2024. In January this year, Indonesia became a full member. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan are 'partner countries.' Several BRICS members view the grouping as an alternative to the West.
However, several Western countries view it as an 'anti-West bloc.' For example, Trump, who sees BRICS as a threat, has warned of consequences against moves such as the proposed BRICS common currency that would challenge the U.S. dollar.
While the presence of China, Iran and Russia in BRICS makes it seem an 'anti-West' forum given their serious disputes with the U.S. and the European Union, India, which is a member of the Quad, helps temper opinions to make it appear 'non-West' but not 'anti-West.' In that sense, BRICS has helped India preserve its freedom to engage with partners across geopolitical divides, keeping its national interests front and center.
Last but not the least, by being part of BRICS, India has sought to ensure that the grouping is not fully dominated by its strategic rival, China. While India may not be challenging China openly just yet, it aspires to be a pole or a global power in a multipolar world. By being a BRICS member, India hopes to ensure that China doesn't weaponize the platform against India. It also ensures that China doesn't solely corner the leadership of the Global South.
Going forward, BRICS faces several challenges.
Given the expanding membership, consensus may be hard to find on key global issues, given that each member state has its own priorities and national interests.
Bilateral tensions between members could also hamper progress. BRICS, therefore, seems to be at a critical crossroads – it can either be overwhelmed by internal contradictions or it can cement its position as a forum that can hold existing power centers accountable while coming up with solutions acceptable to the Global North and Global South.
As the chair of BRICS in 2026, India will have an opportunity to steer the grouping in the latter direction, despite the many fault lines that can divide the grouping.
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