The BRICS forum, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently made a significant announcement during its annual summit in Johannesburg. The forum declared its expansion by inviting six new members to join in January. These new members are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. With a total of 11 states, the BRICS forum will now have a higher share of global GDP based on purchasing power parity than the G-7 industrialized countries.
However, experts argue that the expansion of the BRICS forum does not signify a shift towards a post-Western global order or the ascendance of a new Non-Aligned Movement. The internal dynamics of an expanded BRICS, characterized by diverse interests and conflicting viewpoints, will prove challenging when it comes to forming a cohesive agenda. In fact, the growing geopolitical rivalry between China and India already poses a threat to BRICS unity.
China’s efforts to expand its influence through the BRICS forum may face stiff competition from other members, including India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Consequently, rather than representing a unified force against the West, the BRICS forum could potentially become a theater of contestation itself.
Some argue that Western powers should focus on exploiting the contradictions within BRICS, rather than being overly concerned about its rise. Historical evidence suggests that attempts to unite non-Western societies against the West have generally been unsuccessful. Therefore, it may be wiser for Western decision-makers to engage with the elites of the global south and find mutually beneficial ways to reengage developing nations.
In order to maintain its global primacy, the West needs to abandon its high pedestal and adopt more cooperative approaches when engaging with non-Western elites. The expansion of the BRICS forum should serve as a wake-up call for the West to end its strategic slumber and address the challenges posed by China and Russia.
Ultimately, the global south is eagerly waiting for the West to take action. It is crucial for Western powers to recognize the changing geopolitical landscape and adapt accordingly in order to maintain their influence in the world.
