India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
About BRICS
- It represents 49.5% population, ~40% GDP, and 26% of global trade.
- 2006: BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) leaders met for the first time, on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006.
- South Africa joined in 2010.
- 2024: 5 new full members joined Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- 2025: Indonesia joined as the 11th full member; 10 countries became Partner Countries, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Significance of BRICS for India
- Global Governance Reform: Platform to seek greater representation in UN and financial institutions.
- Alternative Finance: NDB provides additional funding for infrastructure and sustainable development.
- Digital Cooperation: India can promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), especially UPI-based digital and payment cooperation.
- Critical Minerals & Supply Chains: Helps secure critical minerals and diversify supply chains.
Challenges
- Divergent Interests: India/Brazil favour a reform-oriented economic bloc, while China/Russia increasingly see BRICS as a counterweight to the West.
- China’s Dominance: China’s economic weight could give it greater influence over the BRICS agenda.
- India–China Rivalry: Strategic and border tensions can constrain cooperation.
Conclusion
BRICS offers India a platform to strengthen strategic autonomy, deepen Global South cooperation and shape a more balanced global order.
