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Finland announced that it will place a key NATO base less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from its eastern border with Russia

About Finland

• Finland is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe. 
• It shares borders with Norway to the north, Sweden to the northwest, Russia to the east, and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to its south.

Key Features of Finland

• Geography: 
  • Finland is known for its vast number of lakes, estimated to be around 188,000. It also has extensive forests, covering more than 70% of its land area. 
  • The northern part of the country, Lapland, features hilly terrain and mountains.
• History: Finland gained independence from the Russian Empire in 1917. It has a rich history and cultural heritage.
• Autonomous Territory: The Åland Islands, an archipelago located at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, is an autonomous territory of Finland.
• Biodiversity: Finland is home to the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, found in the Saimaa lake system.

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About NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

• Collective Security Alliance: NATO is a transatlantic security alliance composed of thirty-two member countries.
• Established in: It was established in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, also called as Washington Treaty.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

Objectives Of NATO

• Cooperation: To provide a unique link between these transatlantic countries, enabling them to consult and cooperate on political and military issues.
• Limiting threat: To counter the threat of the erstwhile Soviet Union’s possible expansion attempts in Europe.

Underlying Principle

• Principle of collective defence: NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered an attack against all.
  • Article 5 of the Washington Treaty states that an attack against one Ally is an attack against all. This article forms the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.
• Membership criteria: NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”
• Member Countries: As of 2024, NATO has 32 member countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European countries.
  • Recent additions include Finland and Sweden.

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Recently, The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) released its monthly list of drugs that fail quality tests.

More on the news

• Around 50 medicines like paracetamol (fever), metformin (diabetes), and pantoprazole (acidity) were found to be either spurious or not of standard quality (NSQ).
• The findings were part of routine random sampling.   

About CDSCO

• CDSCO is India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Headquarters: New Delhi. 

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• Key Responsibilities of CDSCO

• • Safety and Quality: Ensures transparency, accountability, and uniformity in services to maintain the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medical products.
  • Approval of New Drugs: Approves new drugs and oversees clinical trials.
  • Standards for Drugs: Establishes standards for drugs and controls the quality of imported drugs.

• Collaboration with State Regulators

  • Licensing: Along with state authorities, CDSCO grants licenses for critical drugs like blood products, vaccines, IV fluids, and sera.
  • Expert Advice: Provides guidance to ensure uniform enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act across the country.

What is CDSCO’s NSQ Alert?

• CDSCO releases a monthly list of medicines that fail quality tests, highlighting the drugs that do not meet standards.
• Central and state regulators collect samples from the market and test them randomly.
• The list includes medicines and the specific parameters on which they failed.

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• Purpose of the Quality Checks

• • These monthly alerts inform the public, healthcare departments, and state regulators about medicines that may not be of high quality.
  • It also ensures that pharmaceutical companies know their products are under constant monitoring.

• Examples of NSQ Drugs
  • Metformin failed the dissolution test, meaning it wouldn’t dissolve properly and wouldn’t work as intended.
  • The list also includes other medicines that fail to meet specific quality parameters.

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Recently, the Supreme Court expressed concern over inappropriate remarks by Karnataka High Court Justice V Srishananda but dropped intervention following his apology. 

Background

• During a hearing, Karnataka High Court Justice Justice Srishananda had referred to a particular locality of Bengaluru as being “in Pakistan”. 
• In another hearing, he had made an “objectionable” comment against a female lawyer.
• Though the Supreme Court dropped its intervention, this situation highlights the constitutional limitations on how the judiciary can discipline judges.

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Impeachment: The Only Constitutional Recourse for Addressing Errant Judges

• Basis of Impeachment: The concept and procedure of impeachment of judges are laid down in the Constitution of India and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. 
• Impeachment: It is a process of removing a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court from his or her office as mentioned in Article 124(4) and Article 218 of the Constitution.

• Initiation: The process begins with a signed motion by 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha, which is submitted to the Speaker or Chairman respectively, as provided under the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968.
• Constitution of Inquiry Committee: Upon admittance of the motion, an inquiry committee is formed consisting of a Supreme Court judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist. 
• Procedure: According to Article 124(4), a judge of the Supreme Court (or any High Court) can be removed from office only “by an order of the President 
  • passed after an address by each House of Parliament 
  • supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and 
  • by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the House present and voting
  • has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal.
• Grounds of Impeachment: “Proven misbehaviour” or “incapacity” are the only two grounds for removal of a judge of the constitutional court. 
• History of Impeachment: Impeachment has been initiated only five times in history, including against: 
  • Justice V Ramaswami (SC, 1993), 
  • Justice Soumitra Sen (Calcutta High Court, 2011), 
  • Justice J B Pardiwala (Gujarat High Court, 2015), 
  • Justice C V Nagarjuna (High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 2017), and then 
  • CJI Justice Dipak Misra (2018).
  • The proceedings, however, have never been successful, although Justice Sen was impeached by Rajya Sabha and subsequently resigned.
• Challenges in Impeaching Judges
  • High Threshold for Removal: The high political consensus required to pass an impeachment and the narrow grounds for removal make impeachment rare.
  • Limited Grounds for Removal: Actions like indiscipline, petty corruption, bias, or questionable courtroom conduct, or like in the case of Justice Srishananda while serious, often fall short of impeachment standards or are hard to prove.

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Supreme Court’s Alternative Approaches

• Over the years the Supreme Court has developed alternative ways of discipling judges.
• Judicial Intervention: 
  • Judicial Intervention is action on the judicial side.
  • The SC can express serious concern or issue mild reproaches to judges for their conduct. 
    • Example:  current case of Justice V Srishananda.
  • As the court of last resort, the SC’s word is final and binding. This means that through judicial action, it can send a message to errant judges, even if such a power is not defined in the letter of the law.

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India officially signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement at the United Nations General Assembly. 

About BBNJ Agreement

• The BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is an international treaty developed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
•  It is the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS, following:
  • 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement – addressing exploration and extraction of mineral resources in the international seabed area.
  • 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement – concerning the conservation and management of straddling and migratory fish stocks.
• The BBNJ Agreement takes an inclusive, ecosystem-centric approach based on the precautionary principle, promoting both traditional knowledge and the best available scientific information.

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Timeline of Adoption and Ratification

• Adoption: The BBNJ Agreement was adopted by consensus at the 5th Intergovernmental Conference in New York on 19th June 2023.
• Open for Signature: Countries can sign the agreement for two years starting September 2023.
• Entry into Force:  It will be an international legally binding treaty that will come into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.
• Signatories: As of September 2024,  nearly 100 countries have signed it, and eight of them have ratified it.
• Closing Date: The agreement will close for signature on September 20, 2025, after which countries can only accede to the treaty.

Aims of the BBNJ Agreement

The BBNJ Agreement aims to address growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas, areas beyond the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of coastal nations.

• Conservation and protection of marine ecology.
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
• Implementation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for activities potentially harmful to marine ecosystems.
• Capacity building and technology transfer to help developing countries fully utilize marine resources and contribute to their conservation.

Key Features of the BBNJ Agreement

• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Mandatory for activities in international waters that may harm marine ecosystems.
  • EIAs are to be made public and conducted even within national jurisdictions if impacts are expected in the high seas.
• Benefit Sharing Guidelines: The treaty outlines fair benefit-sharing principles for marine genetic resources (MGR) collected through research.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Proposes protection for 30% of the world’s oceans and increases funding for marine conservation efforts.
• International Cooperation: Promotes sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation.
  • Ensures that no country can claim sovereign rights over high seas resources.

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About High Seas

• The high seas are areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the exclusive economic zones of coastal countries as defined in  the 1958 Geneva Convention.
• Extent: The high seas cover 64% of the ocean surface and account for 43% of the Earth’s surface.
• Importance of the High Seas
  • Biodiversity: The high seas are home to around 2.7 lakh known species, with many yet to be discovered.
  • Climate Regulation: They play a crucial role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon and storing solar radiation.
• Despite their significance, only 1.44% of the high seas are protected, making them vulnerable to overexploitation, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Anthropogenic Pressures on the High Seas

• Overfishing and the introduction of invasive species.
• Seabed mining and chemical spills.
• Pollution, including plastics and untreated waste.
  • In 2021, the UN estimated that about 17 million tonnes of plastic were dumped into the oceans
• Ocean acidification and noise pollution.

BBNJ Agreement’s Impact on India

India’s participation in the BBNJ Agreement represents a significant step towards marine conservation and sustainable utilisation of resources in areas beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The benefits for India include:

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• Strategic Presence: Expanding India’s strategic influence in international waters.
• Strengthening Conservation: Further collaboration on marine conservation efforts, capacity building, and technology transfer.
• Access to Resources: New avenues for scientific research, development, and access to marine genetic resources.
  • In line with India’s Deep Ocean Mission.

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Recently, the Supreme Court questioned the effectiveness of the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) interventions to curb pollution.

Issues Highlighted by Supreme Court

• Temporary Impact: The Court criticized CAQM’s directions, stating they have only a short-term effect on violators, comparing them to pollution, being “in the air.”
• Non-Compliance: The Bench pointed out the total non-compliance of provisions under the CAQM Act, 2021.
• Lack of Enforcement: The Court questioned the lack of strong action taken under the Act, urging the Commission to become more active in ensuring its directions lead to tangible results in reducing pollution.
• Stubble Burning: The court expressed concern over the ongoing issue of stubble-burning, especially with winter approaching, asking CAQM for a detailed status report by October 3, 2024.
• Previous Directives: Despite past directives to stop stubble-burning, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, compliance has remained an issue.
• Commission’s Claims: CAQM claimed its interventions had improved air quality in Delhi-NCR since its establishment, but the Court sought more robust evidence of lasting change.

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About CAQM

It is a Statutory Body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Mandate

• Coordination: Enhance collaboration among states to address air pollution issues.
• Research: Conduct research related to air quality management.
• Control Pollution: Focus on air pollution control in Delhi-NCR and adjoining states (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan).

Powers of CAQM

• Activity Restriction: Can impose restrictions on activities affecting air quality.
• Research and Investigation: Conducts investigations and research on pollution.
• Guidelines and Codes: Develops guidelines and codes for air pollution prevention.
• Issuing Directions: Authority to issue binding directions for inspections and regulations.
• Enforcement: Orders are legally binding; non-compliance can lead to legal actions.

Structure

• Accountability: Directly accountable to Parliament.
• Chairperson: Senior government official (Secretary or Chief Secretary) with a tenure of 3 years or until 70 years of age.
• Ex-officio Members: Five representatives from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Technical Members: Three full-time members and experts from CPCB, ISRO, and NITI Aayog.
• NGO Members: Three members from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

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The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has set up a 10-member GoM, chaired by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.

About the Group of Ministers (GoM)

• Objective: To decide on the taxation of luxury, sin and demerit goods once the compensation cess ends in March 2026
• Composition: Includes members from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. 
• It will submit its report by December 31.

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About Compensation Cess

• GST Compensation Cess is an additional levy imposed on certain goods and services under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India.
• Its primary purpose is to compensate the states for any loss of revenue they might incur due to the implementation of GST
• Introduced by the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017
• Applicability: All taxpayers, except those exporting specific goods or opting for the GST composition scheme
• Time Period: GST compensation is paid out of Compensation Cess every two months by the Centre to states
• Compensation Cess Fund: The collected cess, along with any additional amount recommended by the GST Council, is credited to the Compensation Cess Fund

About GST Council

• The GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council is a constitutional body in India responsible for making recommendations on issues related to GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and other related matters. 
• It is chaired by the Union Finance Minister of India and comprises representatives from both the central and state governments. 
• The council meets periodically to discuss and decide on various aspects of GST implementation.
• Its aim is to streamline taxation across the country and ensure uniformity in indirect taxation laws.

Key Provisions of the GST Council

• Formation of the GST Council: Article 279A  introduced by 101st CAA stipulates that the President must constitute the GST Council within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A. 
  • The notification to enforce Article 279A from September 12, 2016, was issued on September 10, 2016.
• Appointment: By Presidential Order.

• Composition: Finance Minister (Chairperson) ,Union Ministers of State in charge of finance, Ministers in charge of finance or any other Minister nominated by each state government.
• Members of the Council  States have to choose one amongst themselves to be the Vice-Chairperson of the Council. 
  • They can also decide his term.
• The Union Cabinet also decided to include the Chairperson of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBlC) as a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all proceedings of the Council.
• Quorum: 50% of total members.
• Decision Making: Every decision by majority of 3/4th of members present & voting.
• Weightage of votes:
  • Centre: 1/3rd
  • States: 2/3rd

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Establishment and Structure of the GST Council

• The Union Cabinet approved setting up of the GST Council on 12th September, 2016 as per Article 279A.
• Creation of the GST Council Secretariat, with its office at New Delhi.
• Appointment of the Secretary (Revenue) as the Ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council.
• Inclusion of the Chairperson, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), as a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all proceedings of the GST Council.
• Create one post of Additional Secretary to the GST Council in the GST Council Secretariat and four posts of Commissioner in the GST Council Secretariat (Joint Secretary level)

Functions of GST council

The Goods and Services Tax Council shall make recommendations to the Union and the States on

• Taxation Framework and Scope: The taxes, cesses and surcharges levied by the Union, the States and the local bodies which may be subsumed in the GST.
• Goods and Services Classification: The goods and services that may be subjected to, or exempted from the GST.
• Legislative Guidelines: Model Goods and Services Tax Laws, principles of levy, apportionment of GST levied on supplies in the course of inter-State trade or commerce under article 269A and the principles that govern the place of supply.
• Thresholds and Rates: The threshold limit of turnover below which goods and services may be exempted from GST.
  • The rates include floor rates with bands of GST.
• Special Measures: Any special rate or rates for a specified period, to raise additional resources during any natural calamity or disaster.
• State-Specific Provisions: Special provision with respect to the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Any other matter relating to the GST, as the Council may decide.

GST Council Meetings

• It addresses key GST issues like tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures. 
• To date, the Council has convened 51 meetings, with its decisions exerting a notable influence on GST implementation across India.
• The 52nd GST council meeting will take place on 7th of October 2024 in New Delhi.
• Some important decisions taken in the GST Council meeting are:
  • Introduced a new e-way bill mechanism.
  • Roll out of e-invoicing system in GST
  • Reduced the effective rate from 12% to  5% on non-affordable and from 8% to 1% on affordable housing schemes applicable under construction properties.
  • Rationalisation of duty on specified COVID related goods.

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The Union government recently reduced the export duty on three categories of rice from 20% to 10%. 

More on News

• According to the notification, the reduction applies to rice in the husk (paddy or rough), husked (brown) rice, and parboiled rice.

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Reasons for Reducing Export Duty

• Surplus Inventories: Stocks of the grain have increased, and a new harvest is expected in the coming weeks.
• Boosting Exports: Lower export duty will reduce India’s export prices and boost international shipments.
• Competitive Pressure: This move will force competing nations like Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Myanmar to reduce their prices.

Rice Production in India

• Global Trade Share:
  • India is the second-largest rice producer globally, after China.
  • The country is the world’s largest rice exporter, holding a 45% share in the global market.
• Top Rice Producing States:
  • Leading Producers: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
  • High-Yielding States: Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Kerala.

Facts on Rice

• Staple Food: Rice is a primary food source for most Indians.
• Kharif Crop: Grows in high temperatures (above 25°C), requires high humidity, and annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm.
• Irrigation: In regions with less rainfall, rice is cultivated using irrigation.
• Multiple Crops: In states like West Bengal and southern states, farmers grow two to three rice crops annually.
• Three Crops in West Bengal: ‘Aus,’ ‘Aman,’ and ‘Boro’ rice are cultivated.
• Cropped Area: Approximately 25% of India’s total cropped area is devoted to rice cultivation.

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Key Issues Related to Rice Export in India

• Virtual Water Export:
  • Rice cultivation is water-intensive, and large-scale rice exports can worsen water scarcity in already water-stressed regions.
  • This can strain local water resources and negatively impact other crops like wheat and pulses that also rely on irrigation.
• Food Security Concerns:
  • Over-reliance on rice exports may affect domestic food security, especially as India’s population grows.
  • Excessive exports could lead to higher domestic prices, making rice less affordable for vulnerable populations.
• Impact on Crop Diversity:
  • Focusing too much on rice cultivation may reduce crop diversity, making the agricultural sector more susceptible to pests, diseases, and climate change.
  • Promoting a diversified agricultural system is essential for long-term food security and resilience.
• Trade Policies and Subsidies:
  • Government policies such as subsidies and export incentives play a significant role in influencing rice exports.
  • Policies must strike a balance to ensure they don’t negatively impact domestic farmers or consumers while avoiding unfair competition in global markets.

Technique to Improve Rice Cultivation

• Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):
  • Also known as the ‘broadcasting seed technique,’ DSR is a method that uses less water in paddy cultivation.
  • Seeds are directly sown in the fields, bypassing the traditional nursery setup and transplanting process.

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India and Uzbekistan recently signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Key Features of the BIT

• Investor Protection: Ensures appropriate protection for Uzbek investors in India and Indian investors in Uzbekistan.
• Boosts Investor Confidence: Assures minimum standard of treatment and non-discrimination for investors.
  • Provides an independent forum for dispute settlement via arbitration.
• Other Provisions: Includes provisions for transparency, transfers, and compensation for losses.

Significance of the BIT

• Economic Cooperation: Reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing economic cooperation.
• Investment Environment: Aims to create a robust and resilient investment environment.

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• Mutual Economic Benefits: Expected to increase bilateral investments, benefiting businesses and economies of both countries.

India – Uzbekistan Relation

Areas of Cooperation

• Military Collaboration: Joint military exercise, DUSTLIK.
• Multilateral Cooperation: Active cooperation in platforms like UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO.
• Trade Relation of India Uzbekistan: Significant growth in India-Uzbekistan bilateral trade has been observed over the past five years.
• Other Engagements:
  • India-Central Asia framework at the India-Central Asia Summit.
  • India-Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister level.
  • Joint Working Group on Afghanistan and the Central Asia Business Council.

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India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of BRICS for multipolarity and global diversity in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA79.

• The meeting was convened by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
• Agenda: The focus of the discussion was on reforming multilateralism and strengthening development, Sustainable Development Goals, addressing debt, promoting fair trade, and poverty alleviation

About BRICS Group

• BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies namely,
  • Members:  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa 
    • South Africa joined the group in 2010
• Coined by: It is coined in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill to represent the four rapidly growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China
• Origin:  The group was formalised as BRIC during the 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which met on the sidelines of the General Debate of the UN Assembly in New York City 2006
  • 1st BRIC Summit: The 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia on 16 June 2009.
• Expansion: The 2023 summit of BRICS in Johannesburg accepted 5 new countries ie. , Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE  from 1st january 2024
• BRICS Summit 2024: It will be hosted by Russia in Kazan from October 22 to 24, 2024.
  • Agenda: To promote partnership and cooperation within the framework of the association on three key tracks – politics and security, the economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian ties.

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Significance

• Representation: BRICS countries together host  41% of the global population, with a combined GDP of around $25.85 trillion , representing about 24% of the world’s total economic output and cover 29 percent of the planet’s land resource.
• International Cooperation: BRICS countries are influential members of leading international organisations and agencies, including the UN, the G20, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77. 
• Global South: The BRICS was a grouping of emerging economies which are not fully aligned with western systems and institutions and thus represented the global south into developing their own parallel order for their own development.
• Alternative Financial Architecture: BRICS through the New Development Bank (NDB) promotes economic progress in less developed countries without the debilitating conditionalities of the support imposed by the World Bank and IMF

Challenges

• Geographical Cohesion: The BRICS countries are geographically dispersed with each residing in different corners of the globe thus limiting their cooperation and bargaining power on only specific matters. 
  • Example: Regional grouping like African Union or ASEAN works with more synergy as they have a stake in regional development.
• Lack of a Common Point: BRICS countries came together on the plank of engaging in only economy and Trade without having any shared history, culture, or language or political structure among them.
• Collective Decisions: BRICS, unlike groups like EU or ASEAN, is not characterized by collective decision making and does not seem to function as a bloc in traditional sense.
• Economic Asymmetries:  The  economic domination of China in the bloc has established China centered  intra-BRICS trade relations leading to capturing of markets by China originated products.
• Perception as Anti West: The presence of China, Russia and now Iran in the grouping and also its stated goal of providing an alternative financial and governing architecture can be perceived as an attempt to challenge the western dominated rules based order.
• Expansion Strategy:  BRICS’s expansion strategy is not clearly defined and was announced without a concrete policy to guide the group’s future expansion. Also there can be a clash between the democratic and non-democratic political ideologies leading to more divergences within the group in the future.
• Competing Political Interest: The BRICS group host regional rivals with competing political and economic interest like China v/s India and now Saudi Arabia v/s Iran. Such competition could risk derail the cooperation within the group and may lead to fragmentation within the group.

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Way Forward

• Strengthen Cooperation: BRICS nations must strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination amongst themselves and multilateral cooperation by engaging within frameworks such as the G20, WTO, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund to improve global economic governance.
• Diversification: BRICS expansion has provided its members with opportunities to diversify their partnerships in energy sector (6 top oil producers in the group), enabling technology transfer, advancing space research, and strengthening the BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB)
• Build New Institutions: The BRICS with the recent addition of members is an expanding body which requiring new BRICS institution like a Secretariat and BRICS currency union which will to govern the future direction of the body.
• Focus on People-to-people Cooperation: The BRICS group should also focus on building people to people ties as it lacks any common cultural and historical link. This can be done by encouraging tourism via the BRICS Visa or building BRICS educational institutions.

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