Voice of the Global South, Strategic Autonomy and India’s Role in a Multipolar World Order
Today, BRICS is not just an economic grouping of emerging economies, but has also become an important platform for amplifying the voice of the global South in the changing world order. Originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS was renamed BRICS after South Africa joined in 2011. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates became full members in 2024, and Indonesia also joined as a full member in January 2025. With this expansion, BRICS now comprises 11 major emerging economies.
The year 2026 holds special significance for India, as it assumes the BRICS Chairmanship from January 1, 2026, and New Delhi is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit. The central vision of India’s Chairmanship is focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development. This Chairmanship not only gives India the role of a convener, but also provides an opportunity to influence the group’s priorities and future direction.
The greatest significance of BRICS lies in strengthening India’s strategic autonomy. India has long advocated a foreign policy that builds relationships with diverse countries and forums in accordance with its national interests, rather than relying solely on a single power bloc. While India’s partnerships with countries like China and Russia are part of BRICS, India also cooperates with the United States, Europe, Japan, and other powers in parallel. BRICS thus provides a practical basis for India’s multi-alignment foreign policy.
Another important aspect of BRICS is strengthening the voice of the Global South. Even today, many decisions in international institutions are made within structures where the representation of developing countries is not commensurate with their economic and demographic roles. India has consistently raised the need for reform of institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. Through BRICS, developing countries can collectively strengthen their demand for a more representative and equitable global governance system.
BRICS is also important for India from an economic perspective. Expanded membership means new opportunities for cooperation in larger markets, investment, energy, trade, technology, and supply chains. This opportunity is particularly significant for India as the global economy is facing increasing trends of protectionism, trade tensions, and supply chain restructuring. Cooperation within BRICS to reduce trade barriers and facilitate payment systems can benefit India’s economic interests. The possibilities of cooperation on trade in local currencies and cross-border payment systems are also important in this direction.
The New Development Bank is a significant achievement of BRICS in the field of development finance. Its objective is to provide financing for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. Such institutions are important for developing countries because they can serve as both an alternative and a complement to traditional global financial institutions. For India, this offers vast potential for cooperation in projects related to transport, energy, urban development, climate, and green infrastructure.
But BRICS faces challenges. The most significant challenge is the diverse and sometimes conflicting strategic interests of its member states. Border disputes and broader strategic competition between India and China could impact any deeper political or security cooperation. Global developments such as the Russia-West conflict, the situation in West Asia, and the US-China rivalry could also create divisions within BRICS.
The second challenge is the complexity of coordination after expansion. When the group was smaller, building a common approach was relatively easy. Now, with 11 full members and partner countries of varying levels, decision-making has become more complex. Each country has a different economic structure, political priorities, and foreign policy. Therefore, simply increasing its numbers is not enough; a common agenda and effective institutional mechanisms are also essential.
Another serious challenge is the growing tendency to view BRICS as an anti-Western alliance. If the grouping is presented solely as an alternative or rival to the US and the West, its developmental and economic objectives could be harmed. It would be in India’s interest to develop BRICS as a multipolar and inclusive cooperation platform rather than a bloc pitted against anyone.
India’s 2026 presidency is a significant opportunity in this regard. India should move beyond mere announcements and focus on practical results. Concrete projects can be launched in areas such as trade and investment, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, health, agriculture, energy, climate change, disaster management, and sustainable development. Strengthening the New Development Bank’s functionality and project finance capacity should also be a priority.
Ultimately, the success of BRICS will be determined by how influential its statements are in global politics; more importantly, by how much practical cooperation it generates. For India, BRICS is an important platform for strategic autonomy, economic opportunities, the collective power of the global South, and a more representative world order. Its diversity is certainly a challenge, but it can also be its strength. During its presidency, India should center consensus, dialogue, and development, making BRICS a platform that stands not against any power, but in favor of equality, cooperation, and a balanced multipolar world order.
BRICS is not just a diplomatic platform for India, but an opportunity to shape its independent and influential role in the changing world order. If India succeeds in combining its presidency with practical cooperation, solidarity with the global South, and balanced diplomacy, it could play a decisive role in shaping BRICS’s new direction.
