The BRICS organisation -- founded in 2009 -- in recent years has expanded significantly. In 2024, the countries which joined the organization were UAE, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia. Saudi Arabia was also granted full membership, but has not joined the organisation so far. In 2025, Iran entered the organisation as a full member. During the 2024 BRICS Summit, the organisation also started the concept of partner countries -- Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan. Recently, Vietnam also joined BRICS as a partner country.

The BRICS+ organisation now accounts for 30% of the global GDP and over 50% of the global population. The recent BRICS Summit at Rio De Janeiro drew attention for several reasons. First, the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping (BRICS is considered a China- dominated organisation). This is the first BRICS Summit Xi Jinping missed ever since taking over as President of China. Second, the joint statement criticised the attack on Iran and pitched for inclusive multilateralism, while also batting for cooperation between Global South countries.

BRICS joint statement: We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 13 June 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and express grave concern over the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East…..”

US President Donald Trump stated that 10% tariffs would be imposed on BRICS member states. This was not the first time that he made such a remark.  Trump has repeatedly stated that the BRICS grouping is trying to undermine the US dollar. He announced 50% tariffs on Brazil –the current Chair of BRICS -- on July 9, 2025. While the reasons cited for the sanctions by the Trump Administration were the "unfair" trial of rightwing former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro – which Trump called a "witch-hunt’ -- the actual reason according to many commentators was the BRICS Summit which was not only critical of global institutions – dominated by the West – but also the attacks on Iran.

Complexities within BRICS

While on several issues, the organisation can find common ground, there are several complexities which cannot be overlooked. Two founding members of the organisation -- India and China -- in recent years have had a strained relationship. While there have been some signs of a thaw, between both countries. Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng after his meeting with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar said that the ‘elephant dragon tango’ is the right path for both developing countries which are part of the Global South (this is not the first time that China has offered such platitudes).

The recent India-Pakistan conflict, China’s support for the latter, and China’s growing footprints in South Asia – clearly aimed at undercutting India and keeping New Delhi tied down in its immediate neighbourhood -- cannot be overlooked. Recently, China has proposed an alternative to the defunct SAARC organisation Beijing is also trying to build up a China-Bangladesh-Pakistan trilateral.

Several of the new members of BRICS have a different approach towards complex geopolitical issues from China and Russia. While sharing good relations with both, they would not want to annoy the US. It is here that a distinction needs to be made between the idea of a BRICS common currency, proposed by Brazil, and ‘de-dollarisation’ or trade in local currencies. The idea of a common currency, an unfeasible concept from an economic standpoint, has not received support from many members. India, the BRICS chair in 2026, has repeatedly distanced itself from the idea. De-dollarisation or trade in local currencies, while often viewed from a zero-sum prism, has also arisen due to stringent US sanctions on Russia and is often viewed in a simplistic manner.

Finally, the ‘Global South’ itself is no longer a monolith. Countries within the Global South have different foreign policy orientations, economic priorities and aspirations.

Not an Anti-West Platform

In this situation, it is middle powers like India, Brazil, Indonesia, UAE which have taken a proactive stance on key geopolitical and economic issues in recent years will play an important role in ensuring that BRICS does not become an ‘anti-West’ platform. These countries have been working closely with each other outside the umbrella of BRICS on several issues.

PM Modi while speaking at the Rio Summit said: “Today the world needs a new multipolar and inclusive world order. This will have to start with comprehensive reforms in global institutions. Reforms should not be merely symbolic, but their real impact should also be visible. There should be changes in governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions. The challenges of the countries of the Global South should be given priority in policy-making,”

Modi also welcomed the expansion of BRICS, welcoming Indonesia and praised Brazil for infusing new momentum and energy. There are clear convergences between the foreign policy approach of Indonesia and India – especially the thrust of both countries on following an independent foreign policy. Both India and Indonesia have also tried to emerge as bridges between G7 and G20 (though recently, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto did not attend the G7 Leaders Summit held in Canada in June 2025)

 With the UAE, India’s ties at a bilateral level have strengthened manifold. Not only have New Delhi and Abu Dhabi signed an FTA in 2022, which gave a fillip to the bilateral relationship but also signed an agreement for trade in local currencies in 2023. Both countries have also found common ground on global issues related to AI and Climate Change (India, UAE and France also set up a trilateral to work on climate change, defence, energy and other issues).

Developing World's Priorities

In a changing world order it is important to understand that the overall nature of BRICS+ has changed. With the expansion of the organisation, it is pointless to view it from simplistic binaries. India, which will be Chair of BRICS in 2026 clearly has its task cut out, but also has an opportunity to highlight important issues pertaining to the developing world. New Delhi can take the lead in making tangible recommendations related to reform of the international financial system, ‘inclusive’ multilateralism, climate change, and AI amongst others. Other middle powers like Brazil, Indonesia, UAE are also likely to play an important role in enabling a consensus within the organisation on crucial issues. 

It is important not to view BRICS merely from the prism of the US-China rivalry, but from a more nuanced and balanced perspective, while understanding the limitations and constraints of the organisation.

(The writer is a New Delhi-based policy analyst associated with The OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India. Views are personal. He can be reached at tsmaini@jgu.edu.in)