23 Aug BRICS : Opportunities and Challenges for India
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “BRICS”. The topic “BRICS” has relevance in the International Relations section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About BRICS?
For Mains:
GS 2: International Relations
Assessing BRICS as a Bloc?
Complexities for India?
India’s Strategic Way Forward?
Why in the news:
The 15th BRICS summit is being held from 22 to 24 August in Johannesburg
About BRICS:
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Emergence of BRICS:
BRICS came into existence in 2006 when Brazil, Russia, India, and China recognized their shared interests and growing influence on the global stage. South Africa joined the coalition in 2010, resulting in the acronym BRICS. BRICS has established the “New Development Bank” , with its headquarters at Shanghai to provide funding for various development projects in emerging economies and developing countries.
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Core Objectives:
The coalition’s central objectives include fostering cooperation among member countries on economic and political issues of mutual interest, enhancing global multipolarity, and advocating for a more just and equitable international order.
Assessing BRICS as a Bloc:
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Reactive Stance Rather Than Proactive Action:
Despite its collective strength, the ability of BRICS to reshape the global economic landscape remains in doubt. The bloc’s limited appetite for forging economic pacts within its own members and its somewhat overestimated influence on global geopolitics underscore a revisionist and reactive stance.
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Potential for Future Global Impact:
BRICS holds potential as a force in world politics. Recent geopolitical shifts and challenges within the UN system rejuvenate its role. It boasts broader global representation than the UNSC and G-7, though less than the G-20.
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BRICS as a Non-Western Global Governance Model:
Amid growing disillusionment with Western-led global governance, BRICS could provide an alternative platform. Evidently, around 40 nations, both formally and informally, express interest in joining the bloc, reflecting a wider sentiment of dissatisfaction among nations from the global South.
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Addressing the Voice of Underrepresented:
In a world marked by heightened geopolitical uncertainties, middle powers and regional heavyweights seek channels like BRICS to comprehend and influence shifting global dynamics. Instances like the ongoing Ukraine conflict and China’s ascendancy have revitalized BRICS’s relevance as a platform for these nations.
Complexities for India:
The latest BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, carries immense significance for Indian diplomacy as it navigates the intricate web of global geopolitics. Central to this challenge is India’s complex choice between embracing a China-centric world order, aligning with the West-centric paradigm, or deftly balancing between these two forces.
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Unclear Geopolitical Position:
India’s role in the global geopolitical order is uncertain. Western perspectives tie India’s BRICS and SCO membership to conflicts like Ukraine and US-Russia tensions, raising questions about its multilateral commitments.
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Balancing Competing Interests:
India stands at the intersection of multiple global forums, reflecting its historical, geographical, and aspirational alignment. Straddling these divergent interests poses challenges in maintaining balance.
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Multipolarity vs. Bloc Dynamics:
While India upholds the ideals of multipolarity, it is drawn into the dynamics of competing blocs emerging from alliances like China and Russia. Balancing these ideals with geopolitical realities is intricate.
India’s Strategic Way Forward
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Promoting Equitable Global Governance:
India’s core objective remains promoting fair and representative global governance. It must mitigate China’s influence in non-Western forums while engaging constructively with countries supportive of China’s initiatives.
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Balancing Presence in Multiple Arenas:
India’s nuanced diplomacy calls for simultaneous engagement in non-Western platforms (BRICS, SCO) and Eurocentric forums (UNSC, G-7). This multi-faceted approach aligns with India’s pursuit of maintaining a balanced and influential global position.
Conclusion
In a world characterized by evolving power dynamics, India’s diplomatic compass must be guided by a judicious blend of realism and principled idealism. Striving for responsive and representative international frameworks, even if imperfect, is preferable to rigid hegemony. India’s challenge lies in adroitly leveraging its position across diverse global platforms, thereby endorsing democratic imperfections over the hegemonic ideal. As the BRICS summit approaches, India’s strategic stance will illuminate its path forward in the ever-shifting geopolitical landscape.
SOURCE:https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-south-africa-brics-summit-live-updates-8903194/
plutus ias current affairs eng med 23rd August 2023
Q.1 In relation to BRICS, evaluate the accuracy of the following statements:
- The inaugural BRICS Summit was convened in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
- South Africa became the most recent addition to the BRICS coalition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: B
Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding BRICS?
- BRICS established the “New Development Bank” , with its headquarters at Shanghai
- BRICS countries account for one third of the GDP of the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: C
Q.3″To what extent has the BRICS grouping achieved its objectives, and what are the key challenges it currently faces in light of evolving geopolitical dynamics and shifts in the global order?”
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