The Brics paradigm: Forging multipolarity in a Trumpian world

As the world inches towards multipolarity, with developing economies — particularly from the Global South — challenging entrenched hegemonic tendencies, it is imperative to recognise the former as a potential game changer. Brics, formed with the intention of being a geopolitical bloc counterbalancing Western-dominated institutions, is one such initiative to actualise this aim. The developing countries comprising this bloc lend it significant economic heft and, through it, amplify their aspirations on the international stage.

Brics endeavours to align the economic and diplomatic strategies of its members, establish alternative financial institutions, and reduce reliance on the US dollar. The group’s subsequent expansion carries major geopolitical implications, as this strengthened bloc now accounts for more than a quarter of the global economy and nearly half of the world’s population. With shifting global dynamics and emerging non-conventional challenges, its role in shaping the future world order will be pivotal.

Becoming Brics+

Born in 2006 as a small forum, Brics made its position clear at its first summit — the world should not be shaped by a single power nor tied to a single currency. South Africa’s entry in 2011, though unexpected, gave Brics a vital foothold in the mineral-rich African continent. By the time six new members were invited at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit, the bloc had evolved from a loose coalition into a serious global player, signalling a subtle pivot from multilateralism to minilateralism.

During the 2000s and early 2010s, Brics emerged as a promising alternative to Western-led groupings, driven largely by rapid economic growth among its members. China led with an impressive average GDP growth of 13 per cent (2000–2008), surpassing Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy in 2010. India and Brazil also achieved significant gains — India’s growth doubled to 5.8 per cent, and Brazil reached a 25-year peak of 7.5 per cent in 2010 during the commodities boom. Though smaller in scale, South Africa played a pivotal role in extending Brics’ influence across Africa and strengthening South-South cooperation.

What started as an informal group of five now carries the weight of 11 members — with Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, the UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, and Iran joining the fold — thus adopting the “Brics +” identity. This expansion has strengthened the bloc’s collective influence, now representing nearly half the world’s population and about 37 per cent of global GDP at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

Despite questions surrounding its internal cohesion, Brics members have steadily deepened their bonds, particularly in trade, which now grows faster within Brics than with the G7. Over time, these nations have evolved from being primarily “factories for the world” to becoming powerful consumer markets that exert real sway over the global economy. A unique strength of the bloc lies in its members’ ability to maintain robust ties with Western economies while simultaneously engaging China — the world’s trade powerhouse. This dual positioning allows Brics to envision a global order less dependent on the West and more reflective of diverse priorities.

Rio Summit 2025

Keeping with its tradition of rotating presidencies, Brics convened its 17th Summit on 6-7 July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro under Brazil’s chairmanship.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the summit concluded with the adoption of the Rio Summit Declaration, a comprehensive statement positioning the Global South as a pivotal force in shaping 21st-century multilateralism.

This gathering came at a time when the organisation was under international attention. It was the first gathering to include all the newly inducted members (Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, Iran, and Indonesia with Saudi Arabia yet to join). It also came in the wake of US-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and a sharp intensification of Israel’s assault on Gaza. This was also the first summit since the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May and after the G-7 summit in Canada.

The Rio Declaration tackled pressing global challenges — from terrorism and artificial intelligence ethics to economic security, energy, and climate justice. It urged inclusive and trust-based governance of AI and called on the Global North to deliver on fair climate finance commitments. India’s leadership on climate diplomacy was evident, with its backing of COP30 in Brazil and its bid to host COP33, alongside Brics’ endorsement of carbon accounting and collaborative research platforms — signalling a shift from symbolic declarations to tangible action.

Brics leaders expressed frustration with a global system where sanctions and trade rules disproportionately benefit powerful nations. They renewed calls for overdue World Bank and IMF reforms to give emerging economies real influence, while laying out plans for safer trade, smoother payments, and secure food and mineral supply chains. On conflicts, the bloc urged ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, backed African-led peace initiatives, and reaffirmed that diplomacy — not force — should drive global governance.

Beyond geopolitics, the summit championed people power with new health initiatives, increased cultural and student exchanges, and a focus on women, youth, and traditional knowledge as drivers of lasting change.

Turning tariffs into opportunity

For India, Brics serves as a strategic platform to assert global leadership, safeguard strategic autonomy, and project its multipolar vision. It uses the forum to champion issues such as counterterrorism, energy security, and climate finance, while balancing relationships with both Western blocs like the Quad and non-Western platforms. This dual engagement enhances India’s bargaining power and ensures its continued relevance in regions where China’s influence is expanding.

However, tensions rose when US. President Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India and Brazil — the highest among all Brics nations — as part of a broader attempt to destabilise the bloc and curb its de-dollarisation efforts. What was intended to fracture the grouping instead fuelled greater solidarity. Notably, the tariffs brought India and China closer, with Beijing labelling Trump’s measures an “abuse of tariffs.” Shared economic pressures have strengthened India-Brazil ties, while ongoing engagements — from PM Narendra Modi’s talks with the Brazilian President to Ajit Doval’s discussions with Putin — point to an evolving, united Brics front.

India’s response underscores its refusal to succumb to strategic bullying. No longer dependent on any single partner, New Delhi embraces multi-alignment, forging partnerships based on mutual interest rather than ideology. With growing outreach to the Global South, India seeks to anchor a multipolar world order resistant to Western hegemony.

Conclusion

Since its inception, Brics has transformed from a loose coalition into a credible platform reshaping global governance. For India, it is both a stage to showcase its global leadership ambitions and a diplomatic bridge between Western alliances and non-Western forums, advancing New Delhi’s vision of strategic autonomy and a multipolar world.

However, challenges remain. India must manage perceptions carefully, ensuring Brics is seen as a non-Western — not anti-Western — platform. Excessive alignment with China risks marginalising India’s influence, making New Delhi’s balancing act critical. While Indo-China tensions persist, recent gestures indicate a cautious thaw.

For India, engaging with new Brics members is more than expanding alliances — it is about redefining global governance. The Global South has long felt sidelined in decision-making, and India’s role within Brics offers a chance to reshape narratives and amplify diverse voices. Success will hinge on India’s ability to listen, mediate, and lead, converting Brics’ ambitious vision into lasting influence.

Nandini Agarwal is a Researcher at Centre for Courses, the United Service Institution of India. Her areas of interests revolve around Terrorism, Intergovernmental Organisations and Geopolitics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views