By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
Kazan, the largest city and the capital of Tatarstan, Russia, stole global attention a few weeks ago. The reason was that it held the annual summit of BRICS just recently amidst a big fanfare. In the recent past, BRICS has gained currency as it has evolved as a strong voice of the Global South, challenging Western dominance in politics and economy.
BRIC was founded in 2006 and later in 2010, South Africa was included, and it became BRICS. The grouping has held its annual summit since 2009, with members taking turns to host. Before South Africa’s admission, two BRIC summits were held in 2009 and 2010. The first five-member BRICS summit was held in 2011 in China, while the first nine-member summit has just been concluded in Kazan, Russia, from October 22–24, 2024.
The objective of BRICS is to promote economic growth, development, and cooperation among member countries. Likewise, it aims to reform the international financial and political system to better reflect the interests of emerging economies. While these countries are diverse in their economic strengths, they share a desire to reduce the dependency on Western financial institutions and currencies. The most notable initiative in this regard is the New Development Bank, often referred to as the BRICS Bank. It was formed with the objective of offering an alternative source of funding, reducing reliance on traditional Western financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The creation of BRICS was not a coincidence. Rather, it was a response to the growing influence of these nations in global economies and politics. The member countries represented the rising powers in their respective regions and held significant weight on the global stage. The BRICS alliance was a deliberate move to unite these emerging economies, providing a stronger and collective voice to influence the global order.
Over the years, the bloc has evolved from an economic cooperation group to an influential player in global politics with shared interests and objectives. However, its journey from day one to the present stage has not been an easy affair. Many critics were saying that it would turn into an alliance with no essence. The assumptions were made on the basis of the hostile relationship between India and China. Both emerging economies had some border disputes and were engaged in scuffles time and again along the border. However, both agreed to restore peace and resolve border disputes, silencing their vocal critics.
In the ever-evolving landscape of international geopolitics and economies, BRICS has emerged as a key player. With members such as Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, and new entrants, this alliance is very poised to reshape global politics. However, this is not as easy as it looks. In the wake of its growing size, actions, and activities, western analysts have expressed increasing concern over its reach. Some claim that the bloc is fanning anti-western sentiments in the global south and that China and Russia have propped it up as an alternative or rival to the postwar order rooted in the United Nations and other key institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
These fears are overblown, triggering a crevice between the Global South and the Global North. As a matter of fact, BRICS should be seen as what it truly is: an effort to rebalance power within the existing order away from Western hegemony rather than to overthrow it. Today, it is becoming more prominent and influential as it capitalizes on growing dissatisfaction with Western policies and financial structures.
With the theme of strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security, the just concluded Kazan summit has clearly sent the message to the West that the Global South now has the capability to shape and influence the global political and economic aspects. The 134-point joint declaration calling for a more representative and fairer international order and reinvigorated and reformed multi-order system contributes to this claim. Likewise, the attendance of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the summit received further credence that was icing on the cake for the host.
But the West should not see BRICS as an anti-west entity. This would not be a wise decision. Aside from Iran, all the new members have close ties with the West. Additionally, many countries that have expressed willingness to be a part of the alliance do not exactly constitute anti-West sentiment. For instance, Turkey is a NATO member, and Vietnam is a key US trade partner. Even if BRICS were to gain more anti-west members, the grouping would likely struggle to implement the type of initiatives that could pose an actual threat to the West.
While inaugurating the Kazan summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that member nations shared similar ambitions, values, and visions for a new democratic world order. He slammed the Western nations for hoarding global wealth, goods, and even concepts like human rights, climate change, and democracy. His remarks hinted that the West should look at its backyard before pointing its accusing fingers toward others.
Though it is too early to predict whether the bloc will be able to meet its set objectives, its activities and actions so far clearly indicate that it is sure to achieve them very shortly. So far, it has been viewed as a voice of the Global South to advance global governance and reforms. At the same time, if its members are able to keep their solidarity intact and translate their collective vision of a fair, multipolar world into action, BRICS will certainly evolve as a powerful and collective voice for the Global South.

Source : https://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2024/11/07/brics-evolving-in-global-south/