BRICS sounds off in Delhi : Championing global south aspirations
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Dipak Kurmi
Contd from previous issue
By prioritizing conflict resolution through mediation rather than military escalation, the grouping seeks to position itself as a pragmatic force for global conflict management.
Yet, for all its structural momentum and demographic weight, BRICS is demonstrably not a homogeneous or frictionless geopolitical force. The internal contradictions pla- guing the expanded alliance are profound, frequently casting a shadow over its capacity to project unified, seamless global leadership.
The enduring, complex border tensions between India and China remain a significant structural fault line, limiting the depth of strategic convergence between the bloc’s two largest economic engines. Simultaneously, Russia’s direct, systemic confrontation with the Western alliance over the conflict in Ukraine introduces a highly polarized dynamic, complicating the efforts of neutral members like India, Brazil, and South Africa to maintain a balanced diplomatic posture. Furthermore, the incorporation of new members has brought historical regional rivalries directly into the tent, as seen in the delicate diplomatic frictions between Middle Eastern states and complex water-security disputes in East Africa.
These internal schisms were vividly highlighted when the Delhi ministerial proceedings concluded without a traditional joint communique due to differing national perspectives on Middle Eastern security architecture, requiring the issuance of a Chair's Outcome Document instead.
The ultimate durability and credibility of BRICS will depend entirely on its capacity to transition from shared historical grievances to a coherent, actionable, and credible global agenda. The old unipolar order is visibly weakening under the weight of its own internal crises and overreach, yet a stable, institutionalized multipolar system has not yet consolidated to take its place.
This transitional phase is marked by systemic fragmentation, trade protec- tionism, and a selective retreat from the rules-based international order by its own original architects. If BRICS remains confined to rhetorical denunciations of Western dominance without constructing viable, inclusive institutional alterna- tives, it risks fracturing along its internal geopolitical fault lines.
To prevent this, the alliance must implement practical frameworks for functional cooperation, such as the digital health initiatives and resilient supply chain networks championed under India’s 2026 theme of building for resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.
Ultimately, the true test of the BRICS+ experiment lies in demonstrating that its immense internal diversity is an operational strength rather than a paralyzing structural weakness. The alliance represents an unpre- cedented gathering of diverse political systems, cultural frameworks, and economic models, all bound by a common desire to democratize the international order.
By establishing alternative forums for dispute resolution and advancing equitable developmental paradigms, the group can show that diversity does not preclude collective action. As the Delhi Summit draws to a close amidst immense global churn, it is clear that while the path toward a balanced multipolar reality remains fraught with friction, BRICS remains an indispensable vehicle for voicing the aspirations of a changing world.
Contd from previous issue
By prioritizing conflict resolution through mediation rather than military escalation, the grouping seeks to position itself as a pragmatic force for global conflict management.
Yet, for all its structural momentum and demographic weight, BRICS is demonstrably not a homogeneous or frictionless geopolitical force. The internal contradictions pla- guing the expanded alliance are profound, frequently casting a shadow over its capacity to project unified, seamless global leadership.
The enduring, complex border tensions between India and China remain a significant structural fault line, limiting the depth of strategic convergence between the bloc’s two largest economic engines. Simultaneously, Russia’s direct, systemic confrontation with the Western alliance over the conflict in Ukraine introduces a highly polarized dynamic, complicating the efforts of neutral members like India, Brazil, and South Africa to maintain a balanced diplomatic posture. Furthermore, the incorporation of new members has brought historical regional rivalries directly into the tent, as seen in the delicate diplomatic frictions between Middle Eastern states and complex water-security disputes in East Africa.
These internal schisms were vividly highlighted when the Delhi ministerial proceedings concluded without a traditional joint communique due to differing national perspectives on Middle Eastern security architecture, requiring the issuance of a Chair's Outcome Document instead.
The ultimate durability and credibility of BRICS will depend entirely on its capacity to transition from shared historical grievances to a coherent, actionable, and credible global agenda. The old unipolar order is visibly weakening under the weight of its own internal crises and overreach, yet a stable, institutionalized multipolar system has not yet consolidated to take its place.
This transitional phase is marked by systemic fragmentation, trade protec- tionism, and a selective retreat from the rules-based international order by its own original architects. If BRICS remains confined to rhetorical denunciations of Western dominance without constructing viable, inclusive institutional alterna- tives, it risks fracturing along its internal geopolitical fault lines.
To prevent this, the alliance must implement practical frameworks for functional cooperation, such as the digital health initiatives and resilient supply chain networks championed under India’s 2026 theme of building for resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.
Ultimately, the true test of the BRICS+ experiment lies in demonstrating that its immense internal diversity is an operational strength rather than a paralyzing structural weakness. The alliance represents an unpre- cedented gathering of diverse political systems, cultural frameworks, and economic models, all bound by a common desire to democratize the international order.
By establishing alternative forums for dispute resolution and advancing equitable developmental paradigms, the group can show that diversity does not preclude collective action. As the Delhi Summit draws to a close amidst immense global churn, it is clear that while the path toward a balanced multipolar reality remains fraught with friction, BRICS remains an indispensable vehicle for voicing the aspirations of a changing world.