BRICS and India: India's Decisive Role in a Multipolar World Order

For India, the significance of BRICS is not merely economic or diplomatic, but also strategic and ideological. This platform offers India the opportunity to give practical shape to its role as the voice of the "Global South," a "Global Friend" (Vishwabandhu), and a "balancing power." On one hand, India is a member of Western-backed strategic forums such as the QUAD; on the other, by playing an active role in groups like BRICS and the SCO, it demonstrates its commitment to "Strategic Autonomy."
Today, as the world grapples with complex challenges—including the Ukraine war, Western-Chinese rivalry, energy crises, cyber warfare, climate change, and economic instability—the relevance of BRICS becomes even more pronounced.

The journey of BRICS is a journey from "potential" to "influence." In 2001, Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill first coined the term "BRIC" in the context of emerging economies. At that time, it merely signaled economic potential; however, over time, this concept evolved into a political and strategic reality. Today, BRICS represents nearly half of the world's population and a significant share of global GDP. Its expansion in recent years has further enhanced its influence.

In the politics of the 21st century, the concept of the "Global South" has assumed immense importance. It refers to those developing nations that have historically received limited representation in global decision-making processes. In recent years, India has made earnest efforts to position itself as the voice of these nations. During its G20 presidency, by articulating the message of "One Earth, One Family, One Future," India endeavored to bring issues such as poverty, climate justice, food security, and debt crises to the forefront of global discourse. BRICS lends an even broader dimension to this strategy.

The most complex dimension of BRICS is linked to the relationship between India and China. These two Asian powers are simultaneously competitors for economic growth and global influence, and collaborators on multilateral forums. Border disputes, the Galwan clash, and intensifying competition in the Indian Ocean Region have strained the relations between the two nations.

4. Challenging Dollar Hegemony and India’s Economic Diplomacy

Since the end of the Second World War, the US dollar has served as the primary foundation for global trade and finance. However, in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent Western sanctions, many nations have recognized the necessity of reducing their dependence on the dollar. Discussions among BRICS nations regarding trade in local currencies become particularly significant in this context.

The New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS, stands as one of the group's most significant institutional achievements. Its objective is to provide financial assistance to developing nations for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. The World Bank and the IMF have long faced criticism for attaching stringent political and economic conditionalities to their lending. In contrast, the NDB offers a relatively flexible and development-oriented model. For India, the NDB holds immense significance.

In recent years, the expansion of BRICS has imparted a new trajectory to its global influence. The inclusion of nations from West Asia, Africa, and Latin America has rendered the bloc more influential from both energy and geopolitical perspectives. However, this expansion also presents India with associated strategic challenges.

India’s foreign policy has now evolved beyond traditional non-alignment. In the current geopolitical landscape, India operates on a policy of "Multi-alignment" or "Multi-aligned Diplomacy." India is a member of the QUAD, where it maintains strategic partnerships with the United States, Japan, and Australia. Conversely, it also engages in cooperation with Russia and China within forums such as BRICS and the SCO. 8. Digital India and Tech Diplomacy
21st-century power will not be determined solely by military and economic resources; rather, technological capability will also play a decisive role. Cooperation among BRICS nations is rapidly expanding across domains such as AI, cybersecurity, digital payments, and data sovereignty. India occupies a particularly strong position in this sphere. The UPI, Aadhaar, and the Digital Public Infrastructure model have accorded India a distinct global identity. Several developing nations are currently demonstrating keen interest in the Indian digital model.

India’s Decisive Global Presence in the 21st Century

Today, BRICS is no longer merely an international organization; it has evolved into a symbol of the shifting global order. It serves as an expression of the global discontent that has been brewing for decades against Western-dominated institutions. For India, the significance of BRICS is multifaceted. This platform offers the nation the opportunity to lead the Global South, bolster its economic diplomacy, preserve its strategic autonomy, and play a decisive role within a multipolar global order. India’s greatest strength lies in its sense of balance. It seeks neither to engage in anti-Western politics nor to become a mere follower of any single power bloc. Its foreign policy is anchored in national interest, multilateralism, and global equilibrium.