The BRICS Summit 2024, set to take place against the backdrop of significant global tensions, particularly related to the Ukraine conflict and instability across West Asia, will see leaders from countries like India, China, and Russia gathering to discuss the future of their coalition. Notably, this summit is poised to address not just economic cooperation but also the geopolitical dynamics shaped by the war in Ukraine and its resonance across the Global South.
One of the major aspects of this summit is the backdrop of heightened global tensions. With the war in Ukraine now entering its third year, the crisis continues to strain international relations and has prompted discussions about the role of global organizations like BRICS. The unity of the BRICS nations—as they grapple with various pressures from Western countries—is sure to be tested, especially as leaders navigate the delicate balance between national interests and collective goals.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the summit, has previously called for constructive dialogue and peaceful resolutions to conflicts. His diplomatic engagements during the summit will likely focus on showcasing India's position as a leader of the Global South and emphasizing non-alignment amid rising tensions between major powers.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping's presence at the summit is particularly notable, signaling China's intent to expand its influence within BRICS and beyond. His country's strategic approach, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, aims to build relationships with developing countries worldwide. Xi's leadership could suggest a push for BRICS to adopt policies perceived as countering Western hegemony, especially as China identifies the Global South as pivotal to its future political and economic ambitions.
Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, hopes to bolster its standing within BRICS post-sanctions and isolation by the West. Hosting the summit serves as both a symbolic and political maneuver to reaffirm Russia's pivotal role on the global stage, aiming to position itself as indispensable to the Global South during challenging times.
But this expansion and growing prominence of BRICS don't come without tensions, particularly between key players India and China. Although both countries accepted the addition of new members to BRICS—including Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran—there are underlying concerns related to China's rising influence and whether it might overshadow the voices of other members.
Reportedly, there is worry within India about China using the enlarged BRICS group to extend its own strategic interests, particularly in regions where India has significant ties. New Delhi's engagement this year is also shaped by its historical ties with Russia and its shared interest with other BRICS members to seek alternatives to Western-dominated global institutions.
Further complicizing the scenario, the ideological divide within BRICS points to potential difficulties. While China and Russia may support positioning the group as adversarial to Western governance, other members, including India, Brazil, and South Africa, appear reticent to enter such confrontations. They see BRICS as a space for collaboration rather than division, which could lead to internal discussions about the group's direction.
Another aspect of focus will be the collective economic policies and strategies BRICS can pursue to navigate the prevailing global financial challenges, especially considering the unrest and economic hardships triggered by the Ukraine war. With inflation running high worldwide and supply chains still recovering, BRICS nations may seek to coordinate their economic responses to these pressures.
Interestingly, the recent expansion of BRICS reflects the bloc's increasing appeal to other nations—more than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining. This places the group at the center of global conversations about economic collaboration among developing nations, potentially leading to greater bargaining power against established Western institutions.
With the summit now on the horizon, it is evident the stakes are high for BRICS members. Will they use this platform to strengthen their alliance and wield influence on the global stage, or will existing tensions and differences fracture the very unity they aim to project? Speculation abounds as the leaders prepare to gather for this pivotal meeting, and the outcome may hold significant ramifications for the future of international relations and cooperation among the nations of the Global South.
Modi's role will also shed light on India's stance toward global issues, including climate change—another matter expected to take center stage during discussions. Following New Delhi's successful hosting of the G20 summit, India may seek to leverage its experience to facilitate consensus on pressing global matters, which could significantly affect its standing as the voice of the developing world.
Hence, the BRICS Summit 2024 emerges not merely as another diplomatic gathering, but as a stage for showcasing the shifting dynamics of power, economic cooperation, and the multi-polar world order where traditional alliances are increasingly questioned. The world's eyes will be on Kazan, as outcomes from this summit could very well reshape perceptions and policies across the global political spectrum.
