The year 2025 begins with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) experiencing significant growth, as it fully welcomed four new members in 2024.
New BRICS Member Countries

- Original Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- New Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.
- Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian member in 2025.
- Saudi Arabia has put its membership on hold.
- Argentina declined the invitation it had previously accepted.
- Several regional powers have expressed interest in joining the group, including Türkiye, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
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Evolution of BRICS+
- Origins: BRIC (2001): The concept of BRICS dates back to 2001, when economist Jim O’Neill coined the term “BRIC” to identify the four emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
- The idea was primarily focused on economic cooperation, recognizing the rising influence of these nations in the global market.
- Establishment: The grouping was formalised at the 2006 BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
- The first BRIC Summit took place in 2009 in Russia and focused on issues such as reform of the global financial architecture.
- First Expansion to BRICS (2010): In 2010, South Africa was invited to join the group, officially transforming BRIC into BRICS.
- New Development Bank (NDB): Established in 2014, the NDB aimed to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies.
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): Established in 2015, the CRA was designed to provide emergency liquidity to BRICS countries in times of economic instability.
- Expansion and Diversification (2024 Onwards): In 2024, BRICS took a significant step forward by expanding its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Key Principles: Operates on non-interference, equality, and mutual benefit.
Significance of BRICS+ in the Global Order
- A Voice for the Global South: BRICS+ aspires to position itself as a counterweight to the G7, representing the interests of the Global South.
- BRICS+ offers an alternative vision, with a focus on inclusive development and multipolarity.
- Rising Global Influence: The successful Kazan meeting in Russia (attended by 36 heads of state and UN Secretary-General António Guterres) highlighted BRICS+ resilience and impact.
- BRICS+ already represents 47% of the world’s population and 41% of global GDP.
- If Türkiye and most ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members—join, the group would comfortably surpass the 50% threshold in both indicators.
- It also includes two of the world’s biggest oil producers, the UAE and Iran while Saudi Arabia’s membership is also pending.
Reasons of the Expansion of BRICS
- Strategic global influence: The primary reason is to create counter balance to western dominance in the institutions working on an international level.
- It has the potential to become a new power center for the Global South, positioning itself as a counterbalance to the G7.
- Economic strength: The expansion of brics will strengthen its economic potential. For it, it includes countries with high economic potential like China and India.
- This institution promotes trade and investment opportunities among its member countries.
- Energy security: Apart from trade and investment, its decision to include countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia (Pending) is backed by accessing energy reserves.
- It will help BRICS to reduce its reliance on traditional energy markets, increasing security within the group.
- Geopolitical significance: Inclusion of countries like Egypt and Ethiopia helps in accessing maritime trade routes.
- It promotes cooperation and stability in the economies of the member countries.
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Impact of BRICS+ Expansion on Global Institutions
- Pressure on International Organizations to Reform: It will increase the pressure on international organizations like the UN, the World Bank, and the IMF to reform and offer adequate representation for developing and emerging economies.
- EU and Balkan Enlargement: The European Union may also feel the pressure as some Western Balkans countries, tired of waiting for EU membership, could consider aligning with BRICS+ instead.
Key Achievements of BRICS
- Stances on Global Issues
BRICS has demonstrated unified positions on:
- Climate Change Commitments: Advocating for equitable responsibilities and financial support for developing nations.
- UN Reforms: Pushing for greater representation of emerging economies.
- Opposition to Unilateral Sanctions: Condemning sanctions imposed by Western countries on nations like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.
- Institutional Frameworks and Financial Tools
BRICS has developed mechanisms to support sustainable development and financial stability:
- New Development Bank (NDB): Financed approximately 100 projects in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and social development.
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): A financial safety net to address liquidity pressures among member nations.
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India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Forum
- The IBSA forum was inaugurated in June 2003 as a development initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa.
- It brought together three democracies, representing a coalition of regional powers of the global South.
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Key differences between Brics+ and IBSA
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IBSA |
BRICS+ |
Size and membership |
IBSA is smaller and focused on democratic nations |
BRICS+ is larger and more diverse in political systems |
Focus area |
IBSA emphasizes democratic values and development cooperation |
BRICS concentrates more on economic and financial cooperation |
Power dynamics |
IBSA has more equal partnership between members. |
BRICS has China as a dominant economic force. |
Challenges |
Limited global reach, overshadowed by BRICS in global discussions |
Internal divisions, balancing different economic interests, maintaining cohesion with expanded membership |
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Does Expansion Strengthen or Weaken BRICS+?
Arguments for
- Strategic Complementarity: Despite their differences, BRICS+ members share common interests, such as reforming global financial institutions, reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, and amplifying the voice of the Global South.
- Economic Clout: With an expanded membership, BRICS+ could control a larger share of global GDP and population, increasing its leverage in international negotiations and institutions.
- Motivations from Global Context: The expansion creates a strong incentive for BRICS+ members to collaborate as a counterbalance to Western dominance.
Arguments Against
- Varying Political Systems and Economic Goals: The bloc’s members like Iran, Egypt, and the UAE, have divergent political ideologies, governance models, and economic priorities.
- China-India Rivalry: Historical and ongoing disputes between these two major members may hinder consensus and collaboration.
- Complexity of Enlarged Membership: The inclusion of new members makes it harder to align interests and formulate policies, especially on sensitive global issues.
- Consensus Challenges: Reaching agreements on trade, security, and other critical matters becomes increasingly complex with a diverse membership.
- Diverse Economic Capacities: Differences in economic strength and developmental stages among members may lead to unequal benefits and reduced cooperation.
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- China’s dominant economic role may overshadow other members, leading to an imbalance in influence.
- Skepticism from the West: BRICS+ is often seen as a challenge to the Western-dominated global economic order, increasing geopolitical tensions, especially with the G7 and NATO allies.
- Traditional Alliances: Including countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, traditionally aligned with the US, may complicate BRICS+’s positioning as an independent bloc.
- Geopolitical Conflicts: Diverging stances on conflicts (e.g., Middle East tensions, Russia-Ukraine war) could undermine collective efforts.
Way Forward
- Address Diverging Interests: BRICS+ must acknowledge and reconcile its members’ diverse political systems, economic priorities, and development stages.
- India and China’s rivalries need to be managed to ensure collective progress without undermining the bloc’s unity.
- Promotion of Local Currencies in Trade: The bloc should work on establishing a multi-currency trade framework, possibly with a BRICS+ digital currency.
- Facilitating Market Access: BRICS+ should work toward reducing trade barriers, enhancing investment flows, and establishing more diversified supply chains among member nations.
- This could also include new sectors such as technology and green energy, which are key to future growth.
- Refining the New Development Bank (NDB): The NDB should expand its focus to include more sustainable development projects and social infrastructure in developing countries.
- Leveraging Global Platforms: BRICS+ must actively engage in platforms like the G20, the WTO etc.
- This would amplify its voice in key global policy decisions, from climate change negotiations to international trade deals.
- Collaborate on Conflict Mediation: BRICS+ could become an important mediator in global conflict resolution, offering a platform for dialogue on regional tensions in Africa, the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine.
- The efforts to promote peace and stability would elevate BRICS+ as a global peace broker.
- Supporting the Global South: BRICS+ should continue to champion the interests of the Global South, advocating for fair trade, debt relief, and infrastructure development in developing nations.
Importance of BRICS for India
- Key Multilateral Grouping: From India’s perspective, BRICS is one of the top six multilateral groupings, alongside the G-20, Quad, BIMSTEC, G-7, and SCO.
- Strengthening Russia Ties: Through this grouping, India has strengthened its ties with Russia, balancing its relationships with Western powers and enhancing its geopolitical leverage.
- Advocating for Global South: India uses BRICS to champion the interests of the Global South, pushing for equitable global governance and development.
- India-China Diplomatic Breakthrough: The 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan facilitated the first meeting in five years between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping.
- This bilateral dialogue led to an agreement on border patrolling and disengagement, signalling a thaw in India-China relations.
- Bridging East and West: BRICS allows India to serve as a bridge between the West and the East, as well as between the North and the South.
- This strategic positioning enhances India’s geopolitical relevance and provides it with a unique platform to influence global discourse and policy-making.
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Conclusion
BRICS+ is rapidly evolving into a major geopolitical entity, with the potential to reshape global power dynamics. The future of BRICS+ will depend on how it manages its diversity, navigates its strategic interests, and addresses the changing global order. The upcoming summit in Brazil will likely be a key moment in determining the group’s trajectory.