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BRICS Expansion: Challenging Western Dominance
Shubhra Ranjan, 2023-09-12

During the 15th BRICS summit held in Johannesburg, it was announced that the existing five-

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member BRICS grouping, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, had taken a
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significant step by inviting six new countries to join. These new invitees are Iran, Saudi Arabia,
and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from West Asia; Egypt and Ethiopia from Africa;
and Argentina from Latin America.

BRICS is shaping the future of international relations by advocating for multipolarity, asserting
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strategic autonomy, and fostering economic cooperation among its diverse members. Amidst
criticism from Western commentators, BRICS is carving out a unique path in global politics,
making its recent summit a pivotal moment in modern history.

BRICS’ Views Towards West-led Organizations

* Unequal Voting Power: One of the primary concerns of BRICS nations is the unequal
distribution of voting power within institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. These
organizations give more influence to Western countries, particularly the United States and
European nations, based on their financial contributions.
* BRICS members argue that this inequity diminishes their ability to shape policies and decision-
making processes.
* Lack of Representation: BRICS nations have argued that the leadership and decision-making
bodies of these institutions do not adequately represent the diversity of the global economy.
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They believe that these institutions should better reflect the economic weight and contributions
of emerging economies like themselves.

CRITICISMS AGAINST BRICS

* Lack of Shared Vision: Western commentators have criticized BRICS for not having a clear and
cohesive shared vision. This implies that the five-member countries may not have a unified and
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consistent approach to global issues or may not be working towards common objectives.
* Being a “Talk-Shop”: BRICS is accused of being primarily a forum for discussion and dialogue
rather than an organization that takes concrete actions or achieves meaningful outcomes. In
other words, it is seen as a platform where leaders from these countries engage in discussions
but do not produce tangible results or solutions.
* No Worthwhile Achievements: Critics argue that BRICS has not produced any substantial or

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significant achievements that would justify its existence as a bloc.

How BRICS is challenging this West-led World Order?

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* Ongoing and Comprehensive Nature of BRICS Interactions: Since 2009, the BRICS member
countries have been holding annual summit meetings. Additionally, the BRICS framework is
supported by various ministerial and expert conclaves, implying that it's not just a summit but
also a platform for sustained engagement.
* Alternative Institutions: In response to their dissatisfaction with Western-dominated
institutions, BRICS nations have taken steps to create alternative financial institutions. The most

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notable example is the establishment of the NDB, also known as the BRICS Bank and Contingent
Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
* Use of Local Currencies: BRICS members have agreed to encourage the use of local currencies
in internal trade and financial transactions among themselves and with other trading
partners. This demonstrates a desire to reduce reliance on major global currencies like the US
dollar.
* Advocacy for Reform: BRICS nations are advocating for a more representative and fairer global
system that takes into accounts the interests and voices of emerging economies. This
includes calls for changes in international financial institutions and global governance
structures.
* Increased Economic Influence The BRICS grouping collectively possesses considerable

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economic power. The expansion of BRICS membership has further boosted its influence. The
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group represents a significant portion of the world’s population, GDP, global trade, and energy
production.
* Energy Sector Impact: The passage highlights the significant impact of BRICS expansion on the
energy sector. With the inclusion of new members, BRICS countries collectively produce a
substantial share of the world's oil, making them a crucial player in global energy markets.
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Geo-strategic Values of the New BRICS Members

* Energy Resources: The inclusion of new BRICS members from West Asia, such as Saudi Arabia
and Iran, is significant due to their substantial energy resources. Saudi Arabia is a major oil
producer, and a significant portion of its oil production goes to BRICS countries like China and
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India. Iran, despite facing sanctions, has increased its oil production and exports, primarily
directed toward China.
* Diversification of Energy Suppliers: Russia has been a significant supplier of oil to China and
India. With the inclusion of Brazil as a new member, Russia is exploring additional markets for its
energy exports, which demonstrates the potential for diversified energy sources within BRICS.
* Strategic Geographical Presence: Egypt and Ethiopia are strategically located in the Horn of
Africa and the Red Sea region, which is of immense geostrategic importance due to its proximity
to critical maritime trade routes. Their presence adds to the geopolitical significance of BRICS in
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this region.
* Latin American Economic Influence: Argentina, as one of the largest economies in Latin
America, brings economic influence to the BRICS grouping. Latin America has historically been a
region of interest for global powers, and Argentina’s inclusion strengthens BRICS’ presence in
this part of the world.

Regional Developments Shaping BRICS Membership Expansion

* Independent Foreign Policy: Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are noted for pursuing independent
foreign policy paths, particularly since 2020. This implies that they have sought to assert their
sovereignty and make foreign policy decisions that align with their own national interests rather
than being heavily influenced by external powers.
* Ending the Qatar Blockade: Saudi Arabia’s decision to end the blockade on Qatar in January

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2021 is also considered a significant step in this regard. As a result, there was a significant
change in the Gulf region, as it signaled a willingness to resolve regional disputes and improve
relations with neighboring countries.
* Iran-UAE Relations: UAE has normalized ties with Iran and aims to expand its maritime

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presence in the Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Horn of Africa. Iran’s inclusion in BRICS offers
opportunities for regional economic cooperation and the revival of connectivity projects through
Chabahar port, in which India is involved.

CONCLUSION

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* The expansion of the BRICS group has brought considerable geo-strategic value to the
grouping. The BRICS through its current summit has asserted that their “strategic partnership”
will be directed at achieving “a more representative, fairer international order”.
* The recent expansion of BRICS’membership has shaped a grouping that is aligned in terms of
global perceptions and interests and collectively provides considerable economic clout to the
enlarged conclave.
* BRICS efforts to assert their strategic autonomy in a multi-polar world order have been
described as a “turning point in modern history”.

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