BRICS
📅 Last updated: July 08, 2025 2 min read
Why in News?
- The BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 6–7 July 2025, where leaders of BRICS nations convened to discuss a wide array of global issues.
- The summit saw participation from all member countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who joined via videoconference, reflecting the group's commitment to high-level dialogue despite geopolitical challenges.
- Key topics discussed included global governance reforms, terrorism, expansion of BRICS membership, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- India was officially announced to take over the BRICS Presidency in 2026, setting the stage for a proactive and inclusive global role.
Why in News?
- The BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 6–7 July 2025, where leaders of BRICS nations convened to discuss a wide array of global issues.
- The summit saw participation from all member countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who joined via videoconference, reflecting the group's commitment to high-level dialogue despite geopolitical challenges.
- Key topics discussed included global governance reforms, terrorism, expansion of BRICS membership, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- India was officially announced to take over the BRICS Presidency in 2026, setting the stage for a proactive and inclusive global role.
Introduction
BRICS is a strategic coalition of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Initially coined as "BRIC" in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill, the grouping was formalized with regular summits starting in 2009, and expanded to include South Africa in 2010.
Collectively, BRICS countries account for about 40% of the global population, 25% of the world’s GDP, and over 18% of global trade. This economic and demographic weight provides BRICS with the potential to reshape global political and economic frameworks.
Its main objectives include fostering mutual development, promoting peace and stability, advocating for reform of outdated international institutions like the UN and IMF, and representing the interests of the Global South.
OUTCOME 2025
Global Governance and Representation
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly emphasized that the current global governance structure—formed in the aftermath of World War II—does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
- He noted that two-thirds of the world's population, primarily from developing countries, remains underrepresented in international institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank.
- This lack of representation leads to policy biases, reduced legitimacy, and weakened trust in global mechanisms meant to solve international problems.
- BRICS leaders supported calls for reform and especially endorsed India and Brazil's demand for permanent membership in the UN Security Council. China and Russia also publicly supported this move.
Fight Against Terrorism
- The group unequivocally condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India, highlighting the need for a united stance against terrorism.
- BRICS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, which is particularly significant for India's national security.
- They called for the urgent adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a long-pending proposal at the UN, which India has actively championed for decades.
BRICS Expansion
- PM Modi described the expansion of BRICS as a natural and strategic step to make the bloc more inclusive, representative, and adaptable to changing global dynamics.
- Indonesia was formally welcomed into the group, adding new regional influence from Southeast Asia and enhancing the group's geopolitical relevance.
- The move signals BRICS’s evolution from a five-member bloc into a broader coalition capable of challenging the hegemony of Western-led institutions.
Middle East and Palestine Conflict
- In a bold diplomatic stance, the BRICS declaration condemned the joint military strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, branding them as violations of international law and the UN Charter.
- The group reaffirmed support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- It called for the unification of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority and backed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and return.
India's Upcoming Presidency (2026)
- India will assume the presidency of BRICS in 2026, with the theme: Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.
- PM Modi laid out India’s vision for its leadership: a people-centric, humanity-first approach similar to India’s highly praised G20 presidency.
- He focused on strengthening cooperation in health, innovation, and climate, stating, “Viruses do not come with visas; solutions shouldn’t depend on passports.”
- Modi also addressed the global governance of Artificial Intelligence, advocating for a balanced framework that ensures innovation while preventing misuse.
Bilateral Engagements
- During the summit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with leaders from Cuba, Malaysia, Uruguay, and Bolivia, focusing on expanding India’s strategic and economic outreach.
- Discussions ranged from trade diversification to collaboration in digital technology, critical minerals, healthcare, and space technology.
- PM Modi extended warm wishes to Bolivia on the occasion of its 200th Independence anniversary, symbolizing India’s commitment to building deeper ties with Latin American countries.
Conclusion
The BRICS Summit 2025 and the resulting Rio Declaration mark a critical step in reshaping the current international order. As the baton passes to India for the 2026 presidency, expectations are high for a renewed focus on inclusive growth, global south solidarity, and strategic cooperation. With expanding membership and unified stances on key issues, BRICS is steadily evolving into a formidable alternative to traditional power blocs in global diplomacy.
Introduction
BRICS is a strategic coalition of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Initially coined as "BRIC" in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill, the grouping was formalized with regular summits starting in 2009, and expanded to include South Africa in 2010.
Collectively, BRICS countries account for about 40% of the global population, 25% of the world’s GDP, and over 18% of global trade. This economic and demographic weight provides BRICS with the potential to reshape global political and economic frameworks.
Its main objectives include fostering mutual development, promoting peace and stability, advocating for reform of outdated international institutions like the UN and IMF, and representing the interests of the Global South.
OUTCOME 2025
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly emphasized that the current global governance structure—formed in the aftermath of World War II—does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
- He noted that two-thirds of the world's population, primarily from developing countries, remains underrepresented in international institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank.
- This lack of representation leads to policy biases, reduced legitimacy, and weakened trust in global mechanisms meant to solve international problems.
- BRICS leaders supported calls for reform and especially endorsed India and Brazil's demand for permanent membership in the UN Security Council. China and Russia also publicly supported this move.
- The group unequivocally condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack in India, highlighting the need for a united stance against terrorism.
- BRICS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, which is particularly significant for India's national security.
- They called for the urgent adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a long-pending proposal at the UN, which India has actively championed for decades.
- PM Modi described the expansion of BRICS as a natural and strategic step to make the bloc more inclusive, representative, and adaptable to changing global dynamics.
- Indonesia was formally welcomed into the group, adding new regional influence from Southeast Asia and enhancing the group's geopolitical relevance.
- The move signals BRICS’s evolution from a five-member bloc into a broader coalition capable of challenging the hegemony of Western-led institutions.
- In a bold diplomatic stance, the BRICS declaration condemned the joint military strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, branding them as violations of international law and the UN Charter.
- The group reaffirmed support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- It called for the unification of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority and backed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and return.
- India will assume the presidency of BRICS in 2026, with the theme: Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.
- PM Modi laid out India’s vision for its leadership: a people-centric, humanity-first approach similar to India’s highly praised G20 presidency.
- He focused on strengthening cooperation in health, innovation, and climate, stating, “Viruses do not come with visas; solutions shouldn’t depend on passports.”
- Modi also addressed the global governance of Artificial Intelligence, advocating for a balanced framework that ensures innovation while preventing misuse.
- During the summit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with leaders from Cuba, Malaysia, Uruguay, and Bolivia, focusing on expanding India’s strategic and economic outreach.
- Discussions ranged from trade diversification to collaboration in digital technology, critical minerals, healthcare, and space technology.
- PM Modi extended warm wishes to Bolivia on the occasion of its 200th Independence anniversary, symbolizing India’s commitment to building deeper ties with Latin American countries.
Global Governance and Representation
Fight Against Terrorism
BRICS Expansion
Middle East and Palestine Conflict
India's Upcoming Presidency (2026)
Bilateral Engagements
Conclusion
The BRICS Summit 2025 and the resulting Rio Declaration mark a critical step in reshaping the current international order. As the baton passes to India for the 2026 presidency, expectations are high for a renewed focus on inclusive growth, global south solidarity, and strategic cooperation. With expanding membership and unified stances on key issues, BRICS is steadily evolving into a formidable alternative to traditional power blocs in global diplomacy.
