History
In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The grouping was formalised during the first BRIC Summit in Yekaterinburg in 2009, and South Africa joined in 2010 to create BRICS. At the Johannesburg Summit in August 2023, six new members — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt and Argentina — were invited to join.
India’s Strategic Interests in BRICS
For India, BRICS represents a critical platform for advancing reformed multilateralism — giving greater voice to the Global South in institutions largely designed by Western powers. India has consistently used BRICS to advocate for reform of the UN Security Council, the IMF and the WTO.
Navigating India-China Tensions
The most significant challenge India faces within BRICS is the management of its relationship with China — simultaneously its most consequential economic partner, its most significant security threat, and a fellow BRICS member.
Conclusion
BRICS remains an important but complex platform for India’s global engagement. Its value lies in the cumulative effect of sustained engagement with a coalition of major developing economies.