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The Diplomat
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
At Rio, the BRICS Projected the Voice of the Global South
India's presence in BRICS gives the grouping, which is often seen to be 'anti-West' a 'non-West' image. 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.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Amid trade wars and conflicts, New Delhi must strengthen its associations with BRICS
The BRICS summit in Rio is happening as the global order grapples with two forms of interstate conflicts: Trade wars and regional wars. These conflicts demonstrate the international order's limitations and the existing institutions' inability to contain the crises. States are adopting myriad hedging and balancing strategies to cope with the new challenges. The US is trying to withdraw from and limit its external engagements, while other countries are joining alternative institutions to safeguard their interests. The world is at a juncture where the hegemon cannot ensure compliance of others and the successors are reluctant to provide leadership and take responsibility. Under these circumstances, emerging powers find it advantageous to group together and amplify their influence. Amid a turbulent and unpredictable world order, BRICS functions as a key instrument of a broader hedging and diversification strategy. Members view this as a critical alternative forum that provides a sense of security, status, and collective leadership. BRICS has become a coveted organisation for the Global South. It comprises 11 states with nearly 50 per cent of the global population and about 40 per cent of the global GDP. It is a heterogeneous organisation with no shared history, culture, ideology or territories. It cannot be compared with any other existing organisation given its diversity and uniqueness. Experts often compare it with the G7 because of its global outreach, but the G7 countries have identical political systems and a comparable level of development. The same cannot be said about BRICS. Because BRICS is an organisation of the non-West, it is often viewed as a challenge to the West. It is not without reason that Donald Trump threatened to slap a 100 per cent tariff on BRICS countries if they sought to develop an alternative currency. Many in the West fear that a BRICS currency would weaken the dollar. However, it must be underlined that BRICS is not in the process of developing a new currency. A common currency requires integrating financial institutions and closely coordinating industrial and agricultural policies. BRICS does not have the level of coordination needed and is not pursuing such a goal. Therefore, this Western fear is entirely misplaced. Instead, BRICS is exploring the possibility of amplifying trade in national currencies. The trade between Russia and China is carried out in national currencies. Similarly, a large part of Russia's trade with India and Brazil occurs in local currencies. These states are also trying to set up fixed reference rates for their local currencies, independent of the dollar. The extent of the impact of this process on the dollar is unclear, but BRICS states should expect new threats from the Trump administration. It would be viewed as an attempt at de-dollarisation, and President Trump cannot remain silent for long. In a recent interview, US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, described India's association with BRICS as an irritant which rubbed America the wrong way. Nonetheless, New Delhi will continue to follow a diversified multi-engagement policy, disregarding external pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Rio summit, even as Xi Jinping and Putin give it a pass. The BRICS summit in Rio De Janeiro is conspicuous for several reasons: First, following its expansion in 2024 and 2025, it would be the first time that all the members will participate. It provides an important platform for them to socialise, explore the areas of cooperation and develop an understanding of each other's concerns. Further, the BRICS membership enhances the status of new members. However, the expansion of the organisation will also pose coordination and consensus-building challenges. Second, the issue of the Israel-Iran conflict is likely to figure prominently in discussions. A few days ago, BRICS issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli attack on Iran as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. This assumes significance because India had distanced itself from a joint statement at the SCO meeting previously. In a world where states do not want to be seen taking a stand against Trump, Iran finds many supporters at the BRICS forum. Third, the expansion of BRICS has enabled greater representation of the Global South. At a time when the US is withdrawing from its global responsibilities of peace and security, climate action, the WTO and the WHO, BRICS has the opportunity to fill the vacuum and protect the interests of the Global South. BRICS can simultaneously focus on reforms in West-dominated institutions and enhanced cooperation in the South. The Rio summit will focus on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), climate action, global health, reforming global governance, and peace and security. Since the Trump administration holds contrarian views on these issues, the only hope is greater cooperation among countries of the Global South. Fourth, Xi Jinping would not be present at the Rio summit. Premier Li Qiang will be representing China. Xi's absence has led to speculations of a fraying unity, strains in ties between China and Brazil and Prime Minister Lula Da Silva's invitation to PM Modi for a state dinner. It is not easy to find the real reason, but Brazil views it as a diplomatic slight. Silva's advisor Celso Amorim once stated that 'BRICS without China is not BRICS'. This would be the first time that China's president will not be present at the summit. This is surprising because Brazil has good ties with China, and PM Silva recently visited Beijing. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, will also not participate in person because of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued against him. Finally, New Delhi must strengthen its associations with BRICS. In a world where Trump's whimsical policies send shockwaves, India needs closer ties with alternative regional powers. India lends immense credibility to the organisation and seeks to gain a lot in the future. New Delhi's strong ties with Washington should not come in the way of its associations with BRICS. PM Modi and his team will have an opportunity to sensitise the members on issues like digital inclusion, sustainable development, climate action, poverty elimination, and terrorism. In a favourable development, New Delhi has aligned its stance with other members on Israel's attack on Iran. It is likely to receive support from others on the issue of terrorism in reciprocation. The writer teaches at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Views are personal
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM Modi heading to BRICS, declaration on terror to factor in Pahalgam
At a time when Delhi is reaching out to leaders of the Global South and the BRICS grouping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting five nations in Africa and South America from July 2 to 9. Modi will be visiting Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia and, in his meetings with the leaders of these countries, will discuss issues ranging from trade to defence, energy to technology, and agriculture to health. Ahead of the Prime Minister's trip, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, indicated that the BRICS declaration 'language' on terrorism will be 'much to our satisfaction'. 'There is no contradiction in the way the members have come out with their understanding, and their sympathy and their solidarity with India on Pahalgam. I think this has been very well captured in the declaration. And all the members are very sensitive to this matter, and there is also a broader understanding in how to deal with this menace of terrorism, and there should be no one … spared in dealing with it. I think that is very well captured, and I don't have to go into details. I think when you get the declaration out, you will see the language is much to our satisfaction there,' he said, while responding to questions on terrorism in the BRICS declaration. The Prime Minister's visit coincides with that of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the US for a meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers on July 1. It is also emblematic of India's diplomatic balancing between the West and the non-West groupings at a time of strategic hedging in this period of geopolitical flux. Jaishankar, who inaugurated an exhibition titled 'The Human Cost of Terrorism' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York Monday, said, 'Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to humanity. It is the antithesis of everything that the UN stands for, human rights norms and how nations should conduct their dealings to each other.' Targeting Pakistan, he said, 'When terrorism is supported by a State against a neighbour, when it is fuelled by the bigotry of extremism, when it drives a whole host of illegal activities, it is important to call it out publicly. And one way of doing so is to display the havoc that it has wreaked on global society.' 'Five weeks ago, the United Nations Security Council issued a strong condemnation of a particularly horrific act of terrorism in Pahalgam. It demanded that its perpetrators be held accountable and brought to justice. We have since seen that happen. What that response underlines is a larger significance of the message of zero tolerance for terrorism. The world must come together on some basic concepts, no impunity to terrorists, no treating them as proxies and no yielding to nuclear blackmail. Any State sponsorship must be exposed and must be countered… Terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. Let that understanding guide our collective thinking and response,' Jaishankar said. The exhibition in New York will highlight the devastating toll of heinous terrorist acts around the world, and the steps taken by the international community to combat terrorism. The Prime Minister, who leaves Wednesday on his tour of five nations, will be attending the summit of the BRICS leaders in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro from July 5 to 7, followed by a State Visit on July 8. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the 17th summit. On the way to Brazil, Modi will stop over in Ghana on July 2 and 3. From there, he will go to Trinidad & Tobago on July 3-4, Argentina on July 4-5 and then head to Brazil. On his way home, he will stop over in Namibia on July 9. He will return to Delhi on July 10. In Ghana, economic cooperation will be emphasised, while his visit to Namibia aims to renew economic ties. In Trinidad and Tobago, India will focus on diversifying cooperation in pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and digital infrastructure. The Prime Minister's visit to Brazil is expected to strengthen trade and explore renewable energy and agricultural research. The visit to Argentina will enhance cooperation in defence, manufacturing and healthcare. Officials said this will be the Prime Minister's 'first ever bilateral visit to Ghana'. It will also be the first visit to Ghana by an Indian Prime Ministerial after three decades. Modi will hold talks with Ghana President John Mahama to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership. This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India's engagement with the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union. His visit to Trinidad & Tobago, at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will be his first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit by a PM since 1999. He will hold talks with the President of Trinidad & Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and discuss further strengthening of the bilateral relationship. He is also expected to address a joint session of the country's Parliament, officials said. In Argentina, he will hold talks with President Javier Milei, review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral partnership in key areas including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. In Brazil, Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit and follow it with a State Visit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This will be Modi's fourth visit to Brazil. Officials said that during the Summit, Modi will exchange views on key global issues including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, economic and financial matters. He is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. For the State Visit, Modi will travel to Brasilia where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Lula on the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people linkages. In Namibia, the final leg of his visit at the invitation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Modi will hold bilateral talks and also pay homage to the Founding Father and first President of Namibia, Late Dr Sam Nujoma. He is also expected to deliver an address in the Parliament of Namibia. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
