In a significant move, BRICS nations have embraced the inclusion of six new members into their fold. This expansion is set to inject the bloc with added economic muscle, as these newcomers boast substantial financial resources, play pivotal roles in the oil market and occupy strategically important geographic locations.
During the BRICS summit held in Johannesburg, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the coalition, revealed the forthcoming full membership of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, slated to take effect on 1 January 2024. This expansion comes after marathon deliberations among the existing BRICS constituents, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, about the core principles, benchmarks, criteria, and protocols for this enlargement initiative, which had been a subject of contemplation for a considerable duration.
The BRICS constellation thus enters a new phase, marked by both substance and scope. At the same time, BRICS leadership has assigned their foreign ministers the crucial task of formulating standards for welcoming fresh participants and compiling a roster of potential aspirants. It is worth noting that BRICS nations have astutely recognized the escalating international enthusiasm for embracing local currencies, innovative financial structures, and alternative modes of payment. This underscores the group’s forward-thinking approach, aligning harmoniously with China’s commendable strides in pioneering progressive economic paradigms.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called the expansion “historic” and said it would bring “vigour” to the bloc. “This membership expansion is historic, it shows the determination of these countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries,” Xi said. This expansion heralds a fresh chapter in BRICS collaboration, infusing renewed dynamism into the cooperative framework. United in purpose, BRICS holds the potential for remarkable accomplishments, ensuring a promising future for its constituent countries. Quite notably, India, which had hitherto opposed the enlargement of the coalition, has ultimately yielded to the persuasive efforts of other members.
The addition of new six members will certainly bolster BRICS as one of the most influential and productive forum in the global arena. The inclusion of oil-rich Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran undoubtedly bolsters the viability of employing local currencies, a notion that gains considerable traction in recent times within BRICS. Incorporating these three nations, all substantial exporters of oil and energy resources, presents a promising avenue for bolstering liquidity within the BRICS alliance. These countries, now primarily directing their oil exports towards East Asia and India, have pivoted due to reduced US demand.
China has emerged as the linchpin of the BRICS alliance, its significance not merely stemming from economic prowess and population scale, but from a deliberate drive to augment its global stature. The heightened global intrigue surrounding BRICS is largely attributed to China’s involvement. While India also strives for international prominence, it is China that is taking the lead in propelling BRICS forward.
Egypt’s inclusion not only introduces another Middle Eastern player but also an active member of the African Union and Africa’s second-largest economy. Egypt’s significance stems from its role as a pivotal trading partner for Russia and China. Akin to this, Iran holds strategic importance for Moscow, potentially enabling the creation of a North-South corridor. This corridor could enable Russia— a significant oil and grain exporter— to transport goods through the Persian Gulf, connecting Asia and Africa while circumventing the Black Sea and northern Europe. Similarly, Argentina, which had persistently pleaded for the BRICS membership citing the rationale of integrating Latin America for the sake of continental equilibrium, is currently grappling with a currency crisis due to recent devaluation, but still it is a substantial middle-income nation. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, boasting a thriving economy, also holds a pivotal role in the Horn of Africa. As the African Union’s headquarters, it wields considerable influence over regional affairs.
The ascendance of emerging economies is reshaping the world stage, as underscored by this summit. It is a pivotal step toward forging a fresh international economic and political framework. This gathering holds the potential to recalibrate prevailing global dynamics. BRICS’ role in worldwide governance is paramount, encompassing both conventional security paradigms and novel security approaches. Their propositions resonate harmoniously with the pursuit of an equitable, efficient, and harmonious global structure. This infusion of constructive ideals from the BRICS bloc radiates positivity, bestowing a revitalizing influence upon the world stage. This year’s BRICS summit has captured the criticism of certain Western nations. They view the prospective enlargement of BRICS as a “threat” or a Beijing-driven manoeuvre to fashion it into an anti-G7 force, countering Western influence. However, such perceptions are rebutted by analysts as driven by ulterior motives, aiming to steer the multilateral cooperation towards factional conflicts and geopolitical competition, rather than genuine collaboration.
In stark contrast to the Western model, characterized by compartmentalization and centralized control, BRICS has exemplified openness and inclusiveness from the outset. This is particularly crucial in light of the skewed global power dynamics that fail to reflect the economic scale of emerging nations. Many nations now aspire to wield influence commensurate with their economies. The Western apprehension towards BRICS’ prospective expansion underlines its perceived potency. Former U.S. allies are reevaluating relationships founded on dependence and coercion, distancing from forceful impositions. This evolving landscape signifies a shifting global paradigm, aligning with China’s proactive engagement approach. China has emerged as the linchpin of the BRICS alliance, its significance not merely stemming from economic prowess and population scale, but from a deliberate drive to augment its global stature. The heightened global intrigue surrounding BRICS is largely attributed to China’s involvement. While India also strives for international prominence, it is China that is taking the lead in propelling BRICS forward.
