2 November 2024, NIICE Commentary 9706
Dr. Sania Makna

Regional cooperation is paramount these days to balance the geopolitical equation among regional and international players. The formation of BRICS plays a significant role in the current geopolitical scenario. This article examines the evolving landscape of global geopolitics through the lens of the BRICS framework, with a specific focus on the collaborative efforts between India and Russia. The shifting world order, characterized by changing power dynamics and geopolitical realignments, makes the partnership between India and Russia within BRICS significant. It provides a comprehensive analysis that elucidates the implications of their cooperation on the broader international stage. It investigates how this collaboration influences regional stability, economic development, and geopolitical balances. Furthermore, the strengths and challenges of their partnership within BRICS are evaluated critically. Finally, this opinion sheds light on the potential pathways for navigating the complexities of the evolving global order.

BRICS and its Significance

BRICS first evolved in 2006 when leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and China met in St. Petersburg on the margins of the G8 Summit. In September 2006, the BRIC group was formed in the first foreign ministers’ meeting in New York. It was renamed BRICS after the addition of South Africa in 2010. BRICS is a significant multilateral organization that brings together the major emerging economies of the world. It comprises 43 percent of the world population, 30 percent of the world GDP, and has a 17 percent share of the world trade. The members have been the main drivers of global economic growth over the years. The main objective of the BRICS countries is to deliberate on major issues of global importance under the three pillars of Political and Security, Economic and Financial, and People-to-People Exchange. The members reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of democracy and international law. The member countries are large in area and population, face similar challenges, and desire to use their untapped economies in a more channelized way. The organization has widened its horizon from economic issues to include other global issues like the environment, climate change, sustainable development, energy security, food security, health, and poverty in the changing global order.

India, Russia, and BRICS in the Changing World Order

India is a significant member of BRICS as it has close cultural and economic ties with member countries, especially Russia. It catalyzes India to represent herself as an important global player for cooperation, coordination, and consultation on contemporary issues. India focuses on non-western multilateral platforms for political, economic, and security cooperation. It aims to counter the political hegemony and aggressive expansionist intentions of China. This strategy signifies a move away from the past Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ideology. Additionally, India seeks to establish itself as a leader of the Global South on the international stage, enhancing trade and economic cooperation and fostering security collaboration. Ultimately, India’s involvement in BRICS is driven by its vision to build a prosperous, stable, and peaceful world.

Russia has used BRICS as a platform to shift its interests toward non-western forums since the 2014 Ukrainian crisis. It aims to fulfil its Eurasian policy, reviving the Eurasian belt through initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS, SCO, and the Eastern Economic Forum. Russia’s focus within BRICS is predominantly on political issues, striving to become an influential non-western superpower among Asian nations. The promotion of a multi-vector foreign policy and Russian culture globally is also a priority. Russia seeks to reform the international monetary system, exemplified by the creation of the SFPS in 2017 as an alternative to SWIFT, to counter Western sanctions and dominance. Additionally, it aims to promote the use of local currencies over the dollar.

The world is becoming competitive, congested, and wary. Presently, the world faces numerous challenges such as wars, health problems, security threats, and Western dominance that need to be addressed. Therefore, to shape a new, stable, inclusive, and beneficial international order, India, Russia, and BRICS can create a conducive collaboration. Moreover, the rise of these emerging powers (India, Russia, China, and South Africa) counters US hegemony worldwide. These powers can create an equal world order that challenges the idea of Global South and Global North. BRICS can be a solid platform for major powers like India, Russia, and China to resolve ongoing conflicts by upholding the sovereignty and democracy of every country. They need to address their differences to make the organization work smoothly and focus on its expansion worldwide, making it an international multilateral organization. There is a need to create balance among major powers to avoid conflicts and competition through multilateral and stable institutions like BRICS. Hence, multilateral approaches to solving international problems need to be addressed through such institutions. India can be an influential actor in global governance through such multilateral organizations and able to create a stable, secure, democratic, and equal world order. BRICS is one such platform, where India-Russia collaboration becomes paramount to strengthen international peace and security. Both should join hands to promote multilateral financial cooperation not only among BRICS countries but also among other developing nations. BRICS can be an alliance to reform international relations and shape a new equal, stable, secure, peaceful world order free of wars, competition, arms races, and the hegemony of any single country, region, or group.

There are a few challenges that India and Russia face in BRICS due to India-China tense relations, and China’s dominance as most of the BRICS countries have their inclinations towards China. India, Russia, and China are the three major powers and they have different visions and orientations as China’s focus is the Belt and Road initiative, India’s on Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s on Eurasian Policy. The diverse visions of these challenge the functioning of BRICS with common goals and agendas.

Conclusion

Nations must avoid nationalistic approaches and promote multilateralism to form a multipolar and inclusive world order. Thus, BRICS should work with a broad vision and create world order that is based on democratic principles. India and Russia within BRICS should work collaboratively to make the world stable and secure, where, Russia herself has to focus on resolving the Ukraine conflict with peaceful measures. BRICS should act in a manner that sends a clear message to Western countries to respect the sovereignty of other nations. The expansion of NATO under the guise of security only creates a sense of insecurity for others. The world needs a secure, democratic, and equitable global order rather than security and defence organizations.

Dr. Sania Makna is an Assistant Professor at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana, India.