Is BRICS Losing Its Mojo?

Foreign Policy | Sarang Shidore

The upcoming BRICS New Delhi summit faces critical challenges as security disputes increasingly disrupt the coalition's internal cohesion and strategic direction. These unresolved security issues have significantly rocked the boat for the diverse member states, raising urgent questions about whether the expanded geopolitical bloc is now rapidly losing its momentum.

This friction stems from divergent national interests and border tensions among key members, which complicate efforts to establish a unified alternative to Western-led financial systems. While the coalition attempts to project an image of multi-polar solidarity, bilateral disputes between India and China continue to stall collective progress on trade and security. Cooperation remains highly elusive. Furthermore, the entry of new member states has introduced additional diplomatic friction, diluting the core focus of the original founders. Consequently, the New Delhi summit serves as a critical test of whether the bloc can transition from a symbolic forum into a functional geopolitical entity capable of reshaping global governance.

Comment

The expansion of BRICS during the New Delhi summit exposes deep structural contradictions that undermine its cohesion as an economic counterweight to Western institutions. While the bloc attempts to project a unified front, persistent friction along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China prevents any meaningful security integration. This bilateral deadlock effectively paralyses collective decision-making on critical initiatives, such as the proposed BRICS common currency. Consequently, the New Delhi summit demonstrates how bilateral vetoes prevent the bloc from establishing a cohesive alternative to the G7.

This paralysis mirrors the historical limitations of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during the Cold War, where internal rivalries similarly prevented collective action. Just as the 1979 Havana Summit exposed irreconcilable ideological divides between pro-Soviet and moderate members, contemporary BRICS summits are constrained by the competing global alignments of its expanded membership. Ultimately, the unresolved border dispute in Ladakh ensures that any strategic consensus within BRICS remains subordinate to India's regional deterrence priorities against China.

Strategic Question for Discussion

How does the persistent military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) affect China's capacity to leverage an expanded BRICS as a viable counterweight to the G7?

The persistent standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) severely constrains Beijing's leadership ambitions within BRICS by forcing India to consistently veto initiatives that promote Chinese geopolitical dominance. The trajectory indicates that as long as New Delhi maintains its deterrence posture in Ladakh, any collective BRICS efforts toward de-dollarisation or security coordination will remain fragmented. Consequently, the bloc is likely to function as a loose economic forum rather than a cohesive anti-Western coalition.

Share your assessment in the comments below.

To read in details click here