BRICS Welcomes New Members: Implications and Strategic Commitments (GS Paper 2, IR)
Introduction
- At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, a significant development unfolded as Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia were publicly accepted as full members of the BRICS alliance.
- This expansion, marking the first cabinet-level meeting since the group's enlargement in 2023, underscores a pivotal shift in global geopolitics.
- Senior Diplomat Dammu Ravi led the Indian delegation in the absence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Strategic Partnership and Commitments
- BRICS ministers reiterated their dedication to fortifying the BRICS Strategic Partnership, anchored on three core pillars: politics and security; the economy and finance; and culture and people-to-people exchanges.
- Emphasizing their allegiance to multilateralism and the UN Charter, the ministers advocated for a more transparent and efficient UN Security Council.
- Furthermore, they highlighted the significance of the G20, with India, Brazil, and South Africa slated to hold successive presidencies from 2023 to 2025, offering a platform to address global economic challenges.
Global Diplomatic Stances and Concerns
- The ministers underscored the importance of peaceful conflict resolution through diplomacy, with particular attention given to ongoing global conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine and escalating violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
- Condemning military operations in Gaza, they called for adherence to UNSC resolution 2728, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of all detained civilians.
Counterterrorism and Technology
- A unified condemnation of terrorism in all forms was echoed by the ministers, who also raised concerns about the exploitation of technology by terrorist entities.
- Advocating for a comprehensive approach to combatting terrorism, encompassing measures to curtail funding and the misuse of social media platforms, they emphasized the imperative of climate action, urging full compliance with the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
- In the economic realm, the ministers decried protectionist policies detrimental to global trade and advocated for a fair, open international trade system supported by the World Trade Organization.
BRICS Expansion: Ambitions and Geopolitical Influence
- The expansion of BRICS to include new members such as Iran, Indonesia, and Argentina reflects the alliance's aspirations for greater geographic and economic diversity.
- This expansion is a strategic response to evolving global power dynamics, aimed at bolstering the group's influence in international negotiations.
- Criteria for membership entail considerations of economic contribution, political alignment, and market potential, with alignment with BRICS's political and economic objectives being paramount.
- BRICS's strategic expansion signals its ambition to reshape global governance and influence economic policymaking on the world stage.
