As leaders prepare for the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, at the end of this month, India finds itself in a distinctive position within the bloc. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded in January 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
On one side are China, Russia, and Iran, who express anti-Western sentiments. Conversely, other members like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt maintain a balance between their Western partnerships and strong economic ties with China.
Notably, all BRICS members except India and Brazil are part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Even Brazil, not officially part of the BRI, is being courted by Beijing, which buys about a third of Brazil's exports.
India stands out as the only BRICS member strengthening ties with the West while experiencing escalating tensions with China. The ongoing rivalry is primarily due to tensions along the de facto border between the two Asian giants, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which India claims stretches 3,488 kilometers, while China asserts it is shorter.
India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy, following the United States and China. Harsh Pant from the Observer Research Foundation notes that Brazil and South Africa currently struggle economically, altering the dynamics among the original five members. The entry of new actors complicates the agenda, leading to extensive discussions without significant outcomes.
For India, part of a strategic alliance with the West to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, the challenge lies in navigating the contradictions within BRICS. Sreeram Chaulia, dean at Jindal School of International Affairs, suggests that the nature of the bloc is transitioning. Without the recent expansion, BRICS might have remained a mere talking shop lacking strategic or economic value for India. However, with the expansion, competition has intensified, and India is keen to avoid ceding influence to China.
The expanded BRICS nations account for over 37% of the global GDP, more than double that of the European Union. China's efforts to enlarge BRICS are seen by the EU and the US as attempts to increase its global influence. While China views BRICS+ as a vehicle to challenge the West, experts argue that it may not easily dominate the group.
China is the world’s largest lender, with half of its lending commitments in developing countries. Although India's economy is about one-fifth the size of China's, it is the fastest-growing large economy with the largest youthful population.
The upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan is likely to decide on mechanisms for incorporating more new partners, a point strongly advocated by India. Another focus for India is Russia, with whom it has deep defense and technology ties, aiming to balance Beijing's influence.
Experts highlight that Russia may not always align with China, despite their current partnership. The expansion of BRICS offers India a platform to advance its economic interests, particularly as it includes major oil producers like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, accounting for about 40% of oil trade.
Discussions on de-dollarization within the bloc could have significant impacts, benefiting both China and India. Currently, India relies heavily on Russia and Iran for its energy needs. As India navigates a multipolar world, BRICS presents a platform where it can shape the rules as one of the original five members.