New Delhi, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : India stands to gain significant diplomatic strength through the expanded BRICS coalition, according to a report from the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) based in Sweden. The report highlights that this expansion could enhance India’s strategic autonomy, promote a multipolar world order, and improve representation for developing nations in multilateral institutions.
The expanded BRICS framework is expected to strengthen India’s calls for reform in global institutions like the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. These organizations, the report notes, currently fail to adequately reflect the existing economic and demographic realities.
Moreover, the report emphasizes that the expanded BRICS will provide India with a broader platform to address priorities of the Global South, including development financing, climate justice, access to technology, food and energy security, resilient supply chains, and digital public infrastructure.
ISDP cautions that New Delhi should not view the BRICS Plus merely through the lens of China’s influence. Instead, the expansion presents an opportunity for India to forge alliances with new member countries and enhance its reach within the Global South.
The upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi is poised to be a pivotal moment for both India’s foreign policy and the coalition itself. The group has evolved beyond just five emerging economies, expanding its geographical scope, population, and economic impact.
However, the report also identifies challenges for India in balancing its relationships. Managing ties with China while preventing BRICS from becoming overly China-centric will be crucial. Additionally, India must maintain its partnership with Russia without being drawn into conflicts with the West, and it should accommodate Iran’s interests while avoiding a shift towards an anti-Western stance.
Strengthening relations with pragmatic middle powers like the United Arab Emirates and maintaining the effectiveness of the group as new member states join will be significant responsibilities for India.
According to ISDP, the expanded BRICS provides India with an opportunity for more structured engagement with countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the broader Global South, many of which do not align strictly with Western or Chinese blocs. This aligns well with India’s vision of a multipolar foreign policy.
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