The BRICS coalition concluded its three-day summit in Russia on Thursday, signaling the rise of a formidable counterweight to Western-led alliances and the emergence of a “different kind of international order,” according to foreign policy experts. Initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS welcomed 13 new partner countries, including Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. This broadening of BRICS membership underscores a shifting global landscape, where emerging economies in the Global South increasingly explore diversified alliances.
The summit illuminated how many countries in the Global South are positioning themselves within this multipolar framework, balancing between the U.S.-led coalition and the emerging bloc represented by BRICS. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations, observed that key emerging economies—India, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia—are navigating a complex geopolitical environment by strategically aligning with both Western powers and BRICS members. “They’re hedging their bets. One day, they’re siding with the United States and democratic allies, the next day with Russia and China,” Kupchan stated. This hedging reflects a growing inclination among these countries to adopt flexible alliances rather than being tethered to a singular global power axis.
The Kazan summit was instrumental in underscoring BRICS’ goals for inclusivity and cooperation within the Global South. Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, distinguished fellow at Gateway House in India, pointed out that BRICS is creating a new category of “dialogue partners,” expanding its framework beyond the original five-member states to integrate a wider range of voices from emerging economies. The 13 new partner countries reflect the bloc’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the Global South, particularly in areas like trade, security, and resource management. This expansion, Bhatia noted, was not only a milestone for BRICS but also a strategic move to enhance its influence on global economic and political issues.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the summit represented a diplomatic comeback of sorts. Isolated on the international stage since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin used the BRICS platform to reassert Russia’s presence in global discussions. Over 30 countries were represented at the summit, with 20 leaders attending in person, including those from China, Turkey, and India. “This presence shows that Vladimir Putin is not isolated on the global stage, nor are the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies truly severing Russia from the global economy,” said Kupchan, who also serves as a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University.
Despite his visible presence, Putin did not receive overt support for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Instead, BRICS members emphasized the importance of diplomatic resolution to the war, with several leaders advocating for constructive dialogue to restore global stability and reduce disruptions in supply chains.
One of the most significant proposals from the Kazan summit was Russia’s call for a new international grain exchange. As the world’s largest wheat exporter, Russia’s proposal aims to stabilize grain prices and enhance food security—a pressing concern for BRICS countries, many of which are major producers of grains, legumes, and oilseeds. The spike in food, fuel, and fertilizer prices, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has had a direct impact on these nations.
The proposed grain exchange could offer a platform for BRICS countries to negotiate better pricing and secure more reliable supply chains. Bhatia highlighted that “the grain exchange programme and other measures to improve agricultural production and trading would be significant aspects of economic cooperation among BRICS member states,” underscoring the bloc’s commitment to practical solutions for economic resilience and mutual benefit.
Collectively, the BRICS economies now represent over $28.5 trillion, or about 28% of global GDP, an indication of the bloc’s potential to wield significant economic clout. The member countries’ focus on creating an equitable international governance system—one where the Global South has greater representation and influence—is seen as a cornerstone of BRICS’ mission. “The commonality here is that they would like to see a global governance system that is more equitable, in which the Global South has more say and receives a greater share of the benefits,” noted Kupchan. Both Russia and China have positioned themselves as leaders in this effort, advocating for an international order that gives emerging economies a stronger voice in key decisions that shape global trade, security, and development.
However, this vision remains nascent, as Kupchan cautioned that BRICS’ rhetoric of global leadership and solidarity is still in the formative stages. He suggested that while BRICS may be advocating for a new world order, translating these ideals into tangible global influence will require time, coordination, and substantive policy shifts.
If there is a standout player in the BRICS lineup, Kupchan argued, it is India. At the Kazan summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held discussions aimed at reducing tensions along their shared border, an indication of India’s unique positioning within the bloc. India, already a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—a security-focused group founded by China and Russia—also actively participates in the U.S.-led Quad alliance alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, aimed at counterbalancing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Kupchan described India’s approach as “variable geometry,” a nuanced balancing act that places it in both Western and BRICS-affiliated alliances. India’s dual strategy is emblematic of a broader shift toward multipolarity, where countries like India can engage with both sides to advance national interests, enhancing its global leverage.
The Kazan meeting offers a preview of what some experts call “variable geometry” in global alliances—a departure from the rigid two-bloc system that characterized much of the 20th century. As Kupchan pointed out, the world is witnessing the formation of fluid, overlapping alliances rather than the binary divide seen during the Cold War. The expanded BRICS coalition exemplifies this shift, with member nations balancing their interests between multiple global powers, fostering cooperation on shared economic and political goals.
This realignment of global alliances is a reflection of an increasingly complex international landscape where nations prioritize flexibility over allegiance. By inviting a wider range of Global South economies into its fold, BRICS is positioning itself as a formidable platform for emerging markets to negotiate their place on the world stage, free from the constraints of Western-led institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Despite its ambitious expansion and strategic vision, BRICS faces considerable challenges. Many experts argue that the bloc’s cohesion will be tested as it seeks to balance the diverse interests of its members, particularly in areas such as economic policy, security, and environmental sustainability. While the addition of 13 new members reflects BRICS’ appeal to the Global South, it also increases the potential for discord among nations with differing economic priorities and political ideologies.
Kupchan emphasized that while BRICS is still in its early stages as a global organization, its growing influence cannot be ignored. However, he also warned that much of BRICS’ current rhetoric is aspirational, and the bloc will need to establish mechanisms for substantive cooperation and conflict resolution to sustain its vision of a multipolar world order.
The expanded BRICS coalition signals a significant shift in the global balance of power, representing a challenge to Western dominance and advocating for a more equitable international system. As emerging economies in the Global South continue to assert their independence and demand greater influence, BRICS’ role as a counterweight to traditional power blocs like the U.S.-led alliance becomes increasingly relevant.
Yet, the Kazan summit also underscored that the road ahead for BRICS is complex. The bloc’s success will depend on its ability to navigate internal differences, establish meaningful mechanisms for cooperation, and translate its vision of equitable global governance into action. For now, BRICS remains a platform for emerging economies to voice their interests and pursue collaborative solutions, marking a potential “beginning of a different kind of international order.” Whether this new order materializes will depend on the commitment of its members to sustaining BRICS as a robust, united force in global geopolitics.
