India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit Amid Division

The 18th BRICS Summit is set to take place in New Delhi on September 12-13, bringing together 11 member countries and 10 partner nations. India, which has assumed the BRICS chair for the fourth time this year, has chosen a theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting a people-centric approach rooted in 'Humanity First'.

However, beneath the uplifting language lies a harder question: can a group this big still act as one? BRICS has expanded significantly since its inception, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia joining the original members of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The grouping now carries enormous demographic and economic weight, with intra-BRICS merchandise trade crossing $1.17 trillion in 2024, more than thirteen times its 2003 level. Despite its growth, BRICS faces an intriguing paradox: it has become bigger faster than it has become deeper.

Its members do not share a common worldview, with India and China remaining strategic competitors. Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have their own complex rivalries, while several BRICS members have deep security and economic relationships with the United States.

Some see BRICS as a vehicle to challenge Western dominance, while others see it primarily as a platform for greater voice and strategic autonomy. India itself is pushing for greater interoperability among digital payment systems to make cross-border transactions faster and easier.

The objective is not to replace the dollar but to create more efficient alternatives. This distinction is crucial, as the future may not be about abandoning the dollar but about not needing it for everything.

The same logic applies beyond finance, with countries increasingly wanting more choices in development lending, trade, technology, supply chains, and global governance. BRICS' biggest internal challenge lies in China's economic influence over the grouping, giving Beijing considerable sway over what the grouping could become.

India faces a delicate balancing act: making BRICS stronger without making it China-centric, and making it non-Western without making it anti-Western. New Delhi has little interest in choosing between Washington and Beijing, instead seeking to deepen its partnership with the US while retaining ties with Russia and engaging China where interests align.

As the host of the 18th BRICS Summit, India's approach to the grouping becomes particularly significant. The country's ability to navigate the complex web of relationships within BRICS will be crucial in determining the grouping's future.

The summit will be closely watched, as it has the potential to shape the course of global governance and economic relationships. With its diverse membership and growing economic weight, BRICS has the potential to make a significant impact on the global stage.

However, its ability to do so will depend on its members' ability to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal. The 18th BRICS Summit will be a crucial test of the grouping's ability to act as one, despite its internal divisions.

In the end, BRICS' success will depend on its ability to create a more multipolar world, where countries have more choices and are not beholden to a single dominant power. Whether the grouping can achieve this goal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: BRICS is too big to ignore, and its impact on the global stage will be felt for years to come.