Kazan, Russia, Summit Location — Sourced from Pixabay
The 16th Annual BRICS Summit took place this month in Kazan, Russia. It’s the first summit after a series of new member states joined last year.
BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but the group includes many more nations as it has expanded to encompass developing economies such as Ethiopia, Egypt and several more.
Initially created to pinpoint investment opportunities, BRICS has transformed into an alternative force in international diplomacy which is most often dominated by western nations such as the U.S.
The group makes up 45% of the population and over 27% of the global GDP.
BRICS Major Nation Flags — Sourced from Pixabay
Ukraine-Russia War
This year’s summit proved turbulent as discussions drifted to focus on the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe — raising critical tension points.
Not much substance was produced over conversation between leaders on the subject of the Ukraine war. All sides addressed it as something they are ‘looking for peace’ on, India in particular.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi continued to promote a peace deal, despite continued trade with Russia, and previously praising the pairs “strong friendship.”
Narendra Mondi said this of the conflict: “We fully support the early restoration of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible support in the times to come,”
Overall discussions on conflicts proved unproductive, with no formal steps taken by leaders in relation to the Ukraine war or Israel-Palestine conflict.
Indian-Chinese Border Resolutions
After half a decade of dispute between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping over border issues between India and China, they held their first formal discussion at the summit in Kazan.
This came after a successful border resolution deal just a few days prior, regarding Indians Northern and Chinas Southern Himalayan region. This has resulted in military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a demarcation line over 2000 miles long between the two nations that has been causing tensions for decades due to a lack of clear understanding of the specificities of the line.
Thus discussions at the summit represent a huge step forward in Sino-Indian relations which the nations have now formalised as an alliance.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping said: “China and India are both ancient civilisations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South. We are both at a crucial phase in our respective modernisation endeavours.”
The American Dollar — Sourced from Pixabay.
De-dollarisation & BRICS Currency
One interesting aspect that dominated conversation at the summit was de-dollarisation. Russian President, Vladimir Putin has long since criticised the usage of the dollar as a universal currency and now, within BRICS, there are plans to develop a new alternative currency. He was even presented with a conceptual BRICS currency piece, adorned with member states flags.
Overall, the summit represented a growth in cooperation and confidence among the members of BRICS as it takes its shape as a global force, presenting an alternative narrative of power in what has previously been a largely America-centric international community.
There are thirty prospective countries intent to join BRICS, however Putin and other key members have announced that for now, numbers will remain the same.
BRICS represents an opportunity to diversify world order, regardless of the behaviours its member states carry out on their own turf, it has now proven itself useful at least in promoting improved international relations in the global south.
Its recent summit only proves to the West that Russia has plenty of allies and attempts to “isolate” the nation have failed — to some degree.
