The BRICS alliance, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, bringing the total number of member nations to eleven. Furthermore, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan have been inducted as partner countries. This expansion transforms BRICS into a more formidable coalition, representing a significant portion of the world's population and global GDP. As of July 2025, the expanded BRICS+ represents 56% of the global population and 44% of global GDP.
India, one of the founding members of BRICS, stands to gain significantly from this expansion. BRICS provides India with a platform to promote its global leadership, strategic autonomy, and multipolar vision. The inclusion of new members enhances India's access to new markets for its goods and services, and it sees the BRICS' New Development Bank as a vehicle for financing key domestic development projects. Moreover, with major energy suppliers like Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE now part of BRICS, India can diversify its energy supply chains and secure imports at competitive terms. Increased intra-BRICS trade can also boost Indian exports in sectors like textiles, machinery, and technology, bolstering its position as a leader in the Global South.
However, the expansion also presents challenges for India. One of the primary concerns is balancing its relationship with China, which also has divergent regional strategic interests. While BRICS provides a platform for India to engage with China, underlying tensions regarding regional security and global governance remain. India's efforts to promote a multipolar order sometimes clash with China's growing influence, particularly in infrastructure investments and trade.
India's foreign policy within BRICS reflects its broader objectives of maintaining strategic autonomy and strengthening its influence on global governance. India has been a strong proponent of reforming global governance structures, such as the United Nations, the IMF, and the World Bank, to better reflect the interests of emerging economies. It uses BRICS as a platform to advocate for these reforms and promote a more equitable world order.
India's strategic diplomacy within BRICS involves balancing its relationships with major global powers, including the United States, Russia, and China. This balancing act allows India to leverage its ties with Russia while simultaneously strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States. India's participation in BRICS aligns with its narratives of self-reliance and anti-imperialism, which are deeply rooted in its history.
Looking ahead, India is likely to support further BRICS expansion based on economic criteria and strategic partnerships, while also being mindful of not including states with an "anti-India" agenda. As BRICS expands, India needs to strengthen ties with countries like Brazil, South Africa, and the UAE to maintain its position and influence within the group. Despite the challenges, the expansion of BRICS provides India with an opportunity to shape global policies, promote economic growth, and push for reforms in world governance.
Brazil assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2025, with the theme 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for more Inclusive and Sustainable Governance'. Brazil's presidency will focus on Global South Cooperation and BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic and Environmental Development and has planned close to 120 events during its chairship in 2025. As Prime Minister Modi prepares to attend the July 2025 summit in Rio, India is positioning itself as the voice of a more inclusive Global South.
