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VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue04 2025
PAGE NO.
30-36
10.37547/ajsshr/Volume05Issue04-05
The Expansion of Brics And the Emerging Geopolitical
Polarization: India’s Strategic Position
Rano Almamatovna Tuychiyeva
PhD in Political Science, Institute for Youth Issues Research and Training of Prospective Personnel, Doctoral Researcher, Tashkent,
Uzbekistan
Received:
09 February 2025;
Accepted:
12 March 2025;
Published:
08 April 2025
Abstract:
This article investigates the expansion of BRICS and its implications for India’s geopolitical position and
foreign policy. The article focuses on the formal adoption of the BRICS+ model at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit,
where six new nations
—
Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Egypt, Argentina, and Ethiopia
—
were invited to join the bloc.
India’s approach to this expansion is analyzed through its doctrine of strategic
autonomy, which emphasizes
cautious engagement, consensus-driven decision-making, and the preservation of BRICS as a platform for the
Global South. While India supports the enlargement for enhancing regional cooperation and energy security, it is
cautious
about the increasing influence of China within the bloc. The article further examines India’s strategic
interests, including energy security, financial multipolarity, and climate cooperation, and discusses the potential
risks and opportunities resulting fr
om the inclusion of new BRICS members. The analysis reveals that India’s
participation in BRICS+ is driven by a pragmatic desire to ensure a balanced and inclusive global order while
countering the dominance of any single power. Ultimately, India’s involve
ment in the BRICS expansion reflects its
broader ambitions of advancing South-South cooperation and shaping a more equitable international system in
the context of an increasingly multipolar world.
Keywords:
BRICS, BRICS+ expansion, India, strategic autonomy, geopolitical dynamics, energy security, financial
multipolarity, China, global governance, South-South cooperation, climate change, diplomatic strategy,
international relations.
Introduction:
The 21st century has witnessed a
paradigmatic shift in the international system, with
global power progressively diffusing from the
transatlantic axis to multiple centers across Asia, Africa,
and Latin America. The relative decline of Western
hegemony and the perceived inadequacies of
institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank,
and the International Monetary Fund have catalyzed
the emergence of alternative multilateral forums.
Among these, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South
Africa) has garnered increasing attention as a vehicle
for promoting the interests of the Global South and
challenging the dominance of Western-centric global
governance frameworks. The group’s formal expansion
in August 2023, which saw the admission of Argentina,
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab
Emirates, marks a significant milestone in its
institutional evolution and geopolitical relevance.
The expansion of BRICS must be situated within the
broader context of an intensifying geopolitical
polarization. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the
Russia
–
Ukraine war, the liberal international order has
come under unprecedented strain, giving rise to new
configurations of power based on shared economic,
political, and ideological grievances. The enlarged
BRICS coalition now includes members with divergent
political systems, regional affiliations, and strategic
goals, yet they share a common aspiration: to reform
the architecture of global governance to better reflect
the multipolar realities of the 21st century. This
aspiration, however, is fraught with contradictions,
particularly as intra-group asymmetries and rivalries
—
such as those between India and China
—
threaten the
coherence of the bloc.
India’s positioning within this evolving framework is
both strategic and ambivalent. As one of the founding
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
members of BRICS, India has played a pivotal role in
shaping the group’s normative discourse around
multipolarity,
development,
and
South-South
cooperation. Yet, India’s foreign policy calculus remains
rooted in a commitment to strategic autonomy, a
principle that compels it to simultaneously engage with
Western-led alliances such as the Quad (Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue), I2U2 (India
–
Israel
–
UAE
–
USA
partnership), and its comprehensive strategic
partnership with the
United States. India’s participation
in both Western and non-Western multilateral
arrangements underscores a deliberate hedging
strategy aimed at maximizing geopolitical flexibility
while safeguarding national interests in a volatile
international environment.
Against this backdrop, India’s response to the BRICS
expansion is measured and cautious. Official
statements reflect a welcome of greater inclusion of
developing nations but avoid framing the move as a
direct challenge to the West. This suggests that India
views BRICS primarily as a complementary platform
rather than an oppositional bloc. However, the
inclusion of countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia
—
historically positioned on opposite ends of the Middle
East power equation
—
raises questions about BRICS'
internal cohesion and long-term viability. Moreover,
China's
growing
assertiveness
in
multilateral
institutions, including within BRICS itself, may
complicate India's ability to shape the agenda of the
group in line with its own strategic priorities.
This paper aims to explore the geopolitical drivers
behind BRICS expansion and analyze its implications for
global order through the lens of India's foreign policy.
Drawing upon neoclassical realist theory, the study
situates India’s behavior at the inters
ection of systemic
pressures and domestic strategic culture. In doing so,
the paper addresses three interrelated research
questions:
1.
What structural and normative forces have
facilitated the recent enlargement of BRICS, and how
do these reflect broader shifts in the global order?
2.
How does India perceive its evolving role within
BRICS amidst increasing geopolitical polarization?
3.
What strategic dilemmas and opportunities
does India face in reconciling its BRICS commitments
with its partnerships in Western-aligned security and
economic forums?
The academic significance of this study lies in its
contribution to the emerging scholarship on alternative
multilateralism and the geostrategic recalibration of
middle powers. India’s case exemplifies the dilemm
as
faced by states navigating a transitional international
order, where alignment is increasingly fluid, and
strategic choices are shaped by a confluence of regional
dynamics, global rivalries, and domestic imperatives.
By critically examining India's position in the expanded
BRICS architecture, this article offers insights into the
challenges and prospects of multipolar global
governance.
METHODS
This study adopts a qualitative research design,
leveraging comparative geopolitical analysis to
examine India’
s strategic positioning within the
evolving global order. The research approach is
interdisciplinary, integrating elements of political
science, international relations theory, and area studies
to provide a comprehensive understanding of India’s
foreign policy dynamics in the context of BRICS
expansion and broader geopolitical polarization.
Given the exploratory and explanatory aims of the
study, a descriptive-analytical methodology is
employed. This approach enables an in-depth analysis
of India’s foreign
policy, focusing on its responses to
emerging global trends and the challenges posed by
geopolitical shifts. By examining patterns, trends, and
policy shifts, the research aims to uncover the strategic
calculations behind India’s engagement in multilateral
settings such as BRICS, the Quad, and other significant
global and regional alliances.
Data collection for this study primarily draws upon
secondary
sources,
ensuring
a
well-rounded
understanding of India’s foreign policy landscape. Key
sources include official documents and speeches from
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister’s
Office, and other governmental bodies. These
documents offer critical insights into the country’s
policy orientation, priorities, and diplomatic strategies.
Strat
egic papers, such as India’s “Neighborhood First”
policy, “Act East Policy,” and its Indo
-Pacific strategy,
also form the backbone of the data collection process.
These policy statements help frame India’s foreign
policy within the larger context of its regional and
global objectives.
In addition to government-issued materials, the
research also incorporates scholarly literature from
peer-reviewed journals and academic publications.
These sources provide an academic perspective on
India’s geopolitical behav
ior, often rooted in theories of
international relations and foreign policy analysis.
Think tank publications, particularly from institutions
such as the Observer Research Foundation (ORF),
Carnegie India, and Brookings India, offer additional
policy-orien
ted insights into India’s international
engagement and its role within global institutions.
Furthermore, international relations databases,
including JSTOR, Scopus, and Web of Science, are used
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
to access historical and contemporary data on India’s
foreign policy and geopolitical strategies.
The analytical framework for this study is multi-
faceted, using a combination of geopolitical analysis,
constructivist theory, and neoclassical realism to
interpret the data. Geopolitical analysis is central to
understan
ding India’s strategic positioning within the
global system. This method examines India’s diplomatic
and security interactions with key global and regional
powers, particularly its relationships with the United
States, China, Russia, and other South Asian neighbors.
By analyzing these relationships, the study offers
insight into the geopolitical drivers behind India’s
foreign policy decisions.
Constructivist and neoclassical realist approaches are
applied to assess the role of identity, domestic politics,
a
nd leadership perceptions in shaping India’s foreign
policy. Constructivism emphasizes the social and
ideological
factors
influencing
foreign
policy,
highlighting how India’s national identity, historical
experiences, and domestic political dynamics interact
with
global
structural
pressures.
Meanwhile,
neoclassical realism focuses on the role of domestic
variables
—
such as state leadership and national power
resources
—in shaping a state’s foreign policy decisions
in the face of international system constraints.
To enhance the depth of analysis, the study also
employs comparative foreign policy analysis. This
method contrasts India’s foreign policy behavior across
different geopolitical contexts, such as its responses to
regional crises in South Asia and its diplomatic
positioning within multilateral organizations like BRICS.
By comparing India’s actions in various international
settings, the study provides a more nuanced
understanding of the underlying factors that guide its
decision-making processes.
A critical methodological tool used in this study is
discourse analysis, which is applied to policy speeches
and statements by Indian leadership. This approach
examines how India’s leaders frame issues related to
global governance, multipolarity, and South-South
cooperation. Discourse analysis helps reveal the
rhetorical strategies India employs to advance its
interests and project its strategic objectives on the
global stage.
The study focuses on three distinct periods in India’s
foreign policy evolution. The first period, the post-Cold
War era (1991
–2001), marks India’s transition from a
state of economic isolation to a more outward-looking
foreign policy approach. The second period, covering
the years from 2001 to 2014, is characterized by India’s
growing engagement with both major powers and
multilateral institutions, such as BRICS and the United
Nations Security Council. The third period, from 2014
to the present, reflects the proactive foreign policy
initiatives of the Modi government, including India’s
strengthening of relationships with the United States
and Japan, as well as its increased participation in
regional and global security dialogues.
The study employs a case study approach to analyze
key instances of India’s foreign policy decisions. Specific
cases
, such as India’s role in BRICS and its evolving
relationships with China and Russia, are examined in
detail. The research also looks at India’s positioning
within the Quad and its engagement in the Indo-Pacific
region, a key strategic area for India’s nat
ional security
and global influence. The inclusion of these cases
ensures that the study addresses India’s strategic
calculations across a variety of geopolitical contexts.
While the study relies heavily on secondary data, it
acknowledges several limitations. One key limitation is
the absence of primary interviews with policymakers
and diplomats, which could provide deeper insights
into India’s decision
-making processes. Additionally,
the study may not fully capture the immediate
implications of recent geopolitical events, such as the
Russia
–
Ukraine war or the ongoing trade tensions
between China and the United States. These events,
which continue to unfold, may have further
ramifications for India’s foreign policy trajectory.
To mitigate these limitations, the study draws upon a
wide range of updated sources, including real-time
media reports and the latest government statements,
ensuring
that
the
research
reflects
current
developments in global and regional geopolitics. By
incorporating a variety of data sources and employing
multiple analytical frameworks, the study provides a
holistic understanding of India’s foreign policy in a
rapidly changing international environment.
RESULTS
Milestones in BRICS Expansion
At the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg in
August 2023, a major milestone in the group’s
evolution was achieved with the formal announcement
of the adoption of a BRICS+ model. This decision
marked a turning point, as BRICS, which had
traditionally been an informal political and economic
dialogue platform, transitioned toward becoming a
potentially influential geopolitical and geo-economic
coalition. The expansion was seen as a recognition of
BRICS’s growing importance in shaping the future
global order, particularly as it moves away from the
unipolar dominance of the West.
The new members invited to join the bloc
—
Saudi
Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Egypt, Argentina, and Ethiopia
—
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
represent a strategic shift in the group’s composition.
These countries are strategically important, either due
to their energy resources, economic influence, or
geopolitical positioning. Their inclusion will diversify
BRICS’s economic and political base, making it a more
powerful force in global governance. For instance,
Saudi Arabia and Iran are key players in the Middle East,
while Argentina and Ethiopia bring new geopolitical
influence in South America and Africa, respectively.
This expansion could allow BRICS to shape policy
agendas on energy security, climate change, and
sustainable development, which are becoming
increasingly important in global diplomacy.
This development highlights BRICS's evolution from a
relatively narrow club of emerging powers (Brazil,
Russia, India, China, and South Africa) into a broader
coalition that seeks to challenge the established global
governance structures dominated by Western powers.
The formalization of this expansion underlines the
bloc’s ambition to reshape international institutions
and systems, such as the IMF and World Bank, which
are often seen as favoring Western interests.
India’s Off
icial Position
India’s official stance on BRICS expansion was notably
cautious, although it publicly welcomed the decision. In
his address following the announcement, India’s
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the
importance of consensus and shared objectives in
guiding the expansion process. He stated:
"The expansion of BRICS should be based on consensus
and shared goals."
This cautious optimism reflects India’s nuanced
approach to the expansion. While India has long
supported multilateralism and the reform of global
institutions, it is also mindful of ensuring that BRICS
maintains its strategic relevance and balance. India’s
priority has always been to preserve BRICS as a
platform for meaningful cooperation rather than
allowing it to become a mere aggregation of countries.
India stressed the need for inclusivity, strategic
balance, and functional cooperation rather than
numerical growth for its own sake. New members
should contribute substantively to the group's
objectives, particularly in areas where India has a
vested interest, such as trade, energy security, and
international development. India’s careful language
and emphasis on consensus indicate that it seeks to
ensure that the expansion does not dilute the group’s
effectiveness or its original vision of promoting a
multipolar world order.
India also remains vigilant regarding the potential risks
posed by the expansion. The inclusion of countries like
Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose relationships with other
BRICS members are often characterized by competition
and tension, poses challenges. Indi
a’s vision of BRICS is
one of mutual respect and equal standing, and it is wary
of any one member
—
or a coalition of members
—
dominating the group’s decisions. Therefore, India’s
cautious stance reflects its desire to retain a leadership
role within BRICS while preventing the emergence of
divisions that could hinder the group's ability to act
cohesively on the global stage.
Emerging Zones of Competition within BRICS
While the expansion of BRICS brings new opportunities,
it also introduces new dynamics and potential sources
of competition within the group. A key challenge for
India is the shifting balance of power, particularly the
growing influence of China within BRICS. China has
been a vocal proponent of the expansion, particularly
in pushing for the inclusion of Iran, a country with
which it shares deep political and economic ties. This
move aligns with China’s broader geopolitical
ambitions to counter Western influence, especially in
the Middle East and Central Asia.
India, on the other hand, views the inclusion of Iran
with caution. Despite its historical ties with Tehran,
India remains wary of China’s growing influence in the
region, particularly in light of China’s strong
partnerships with Russia and Iran. The expanding
Chinese footprint within BRICS could shift the internal
power dynamics, which may disadvantage India,
especially in terms of policy influence on critical issues
such as security, trade, and energy.
Moreover, India has been particularly sensitive to the
growing Sino-Russian partnership, which is also
reflected in BRICS’s strategic initiatives. The Russia
-
China axis has proven to be a formidable force within
the group, and its alignment could potentially challenge
India’s position as a leading voice in shaping BRICS’s
strategic direction. This growing bloc within BRICS
could create tensions, as India seeks to maintain its
strategic autonomy while balancing its relationships
with both China and Russia.
The emergence of new members with divergent
interests also complicates India’s position. For i
nstance,
while Argentina and Egypt bring new perspectives from
Latin America and Africa, the political and economic
priorities of these regions often differ from those of
India. Consequently, India’s goal will be to navigate
these internal challenges to ensure that BRICS remains
an effective platform for cooperation and not a
battleground for competing regional interests. India’s
leadership in this regard will likely depend on its ability
to foster consensus while preserving its strategic
interests.
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The expanded BRICS group faces the task of balancing
these emerging zones of competition with the
collective goals of the bloc. India’s role in this process
will be crucial, as it seeks to guide BRICS toward a more
inclusive and cooperative future while ensuring that its
core values of strategic balance and multilateralism are
preserved.
DISCUSSION
India’s Strategic Autonomy Doctrine
India's foreign policy is fundamentally grounded in the
doctrine of strategic autonomy, a concept that
emphasizes independence in decision-making, while
allowing for pragmatic partnerships and multi-
alignment in various geopolitical contexts. This
approach has allowed India to avoid being overly
dependent on any single power, providing it the
flexibility to act in its national interest while
maintaining relationships with various global actors.
Within the BRICS framework, this doctrine plays a
crucial role in shaping India’s approach to the bloc’s
expansion.
India’s cautious support for the expansion of BRICS
aligns with its strategic autonomy doctrine. By
welcoming the enlargement but stressing the
importance of consensus-based decision-making, India
seeks to ensure that BRICS remains a platform that
serves the interests of the Global South, and not merely
a China-dominated entity. The expansion of BRICS,
while presenting opportunities for India to enhance its
global standing, also poses risks, particularly in terms of
China’s growing influence within the bloc. As China
pushes for an ever-more prominent role, including its
advocacy for
Iran’s inclusion, India is concerned about
the potential for the bloc to shift towards a more Sino-
centric direction.
India’s emphasis on inclusivity and balanced
participation underscores its desire to avoid the
creation of a hierarchical structure within BRICS, where
a single member or a coalition of members dominates
the decision-
making process. This reflects India’s long
-
standing foreign policy orientation, which seeks to
promote a multipolar world order, as opposed to one
dominated by any singular power, particularly in the
context of the existing global governance structures
that are perceived as being disproportionately
Western-centric.
India's commitment to maintaining BRICS as a platform
for global south countries, rather than an exclusive
arena for Chinese interests, demonstrates its broader
ambition of championing the voice of developing
nations. As BRICS continues to grow in membership and
influence, India’s role in shaping the bloc’s trajectory
will be critical in ensuring that it remains an effective
and equitable platform for global cooperation.
India’s Interests and Strategic Calculations
India’s engagement with the expanded BRICS bloc is
driven by a mix of strategic interests and pragmatic
calculations, particularly in the areas of energy security,
financial multipolarity, and technology and climate
cooperation.
One of the most immediate benefits of BRICS
expansion for India is greater access to energy-rich
countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia, a
major global oil producer, and Iran, with its significant
energy reserves, are critical to India’s energy security
strategy. India’s reliance on imported energy,
particularly oil, makes these countries valuable
partners, and their inclusion in BRICS offers India
greater leverage in energy-related negotiations. This is
especially important as India seeks to diversify its
energy sources and reduce its dependence on
traditional energy suppliers like the United States and
its allies. Moreover, as part of its broader strategy to
assert influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, India
sees energy security as a critical element in maintaining
its regional competitiveness.
Another key driver for India’s support of BRICS
expansion is its interest in advancing financial
multipolarity. India has long been a proponent of
reducing the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global
financial transactions, advocating for a more diversified
global financial system. Through the New Development
Bank (NDB), which was established by BRICS members,
India has pushed for de-dollarization and greater
financial independence from Western-dominated
institutions such as the World Bank and IMF. However,
India remains cautious of becoming overly reliant on
China-backed financial mechanisms. As China is the
largest shareholder in
the NDB, India’s strategic
calculation involves balancing its support for the bank's
initiatives with caution regarding Chinese influence.
India aims to maintain a level of control over its
financial independence while using BRICS to challenge
the existing global financial order.
India’s engagement in the BRICS expansion is also
informed by its interest in pushing forward its digital
diplomacy and green growth agenda. The expansion
allows India to promote its technological capabilities
and leadership in the digital space, particularly in areas
such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and
cybersecurity. Moreover, India views climate change as
an increasingly urgent issue and seeks to use BRICS as a
platform to advance its green growth agenda. The
inclusion of countries like Argentina and Ethiopia, with
their significant natural resources, offers India
opportunities to engage in collaborative climate action,
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
which is central to its international diplomatic efforts.
By fostering cooperation on sustainable development,
India can assert its role as a leader in both the climate
change discourse and the technological revolution.
India’s strategic calculations are, therefore, a blend of
maintaining its role as a representative of the Global
South, while carefully balancing its relations with China
and other key players. It seeks to ensure that BRICS
serves as a platform for equitable cooperation rather
than a geopolitical tool dominated by any single
country. India's approach is defined by a dual
imperative: on one hand, it aims to engage BRICS as a
collective voice of the Global South; on the other hand,
it strives to counterbalance China’s growing influence,
particularly in critical areas such as energy, finance, and
technology.
Geopolitical Trade-Offs and Opportunities
The expansion of BRICS introduces both significant risks
and substantial opportunities for India, shaping its
diplomatic calculus in complex ways.
The primary risks for India arising from the BRICS
expansion revolve around the dilution of its strategic
autonomy and leadership role within the group. The
inclusion of new members, particularly those with
varying geopolitical priorities, may reduce India’s
influence in shaping the direction of the bloc. China’s
growing dominance in BRICS, coupled with its strategic
alignment with Russia and Iran, represents a challenge
to India’s traditional role as a key leader within the
group. Moreover, the expansion of BRICS could
exacerbate the internal divisions among member
states, making it harder for India to navigate its
interests without alienating key partners. The divergent
policy priorities of the new members could further
complicate India’s efforts to maintain the group’s focus
on issues of mutual concern, such as economic
development, reform of global institutions, and
multilateral diplomacy.
On the other hand, the expansion of BRICS also opens
up significant opportunities for India to strengthen ties
with key regions, particularly West Asia and Africa.
Both regions have become increasingly important in
India’s foreign policy calculations, especially in terms of
trade, energy security, and diplomatic engagement.
The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt in BRICS
enhances India’s ability to shape the future of regional
cooperation, particularly in energy and security issues.
Furthermore, India’s leadership in BRICS+ can provide
a platform to promote South-South cooperation,
strengthening ties between developing countries and
pushing for reforms in global governance institutions
such as the UN Security Council.
India also has the opportunity to leverage BRICS as a
tool for advancing its broader geopolitical interests,
particularly with regard to multipolarity and the
reformation of the international order. India can use
BRICS as a collective voice to advocate for changes in
the global governance structures that have long been
dominated by Western powers, particularly in the
financial and security realms. The expanded BRICS
group, with its diverse membership, offers India a
chance to engage in multilateral reforms that can
better represent the interests of the Global South.
India’s engagement with the expanded BRICS group,
therefore, reflects a pragmatic recalibration of its
foreign policy strategy. It seeks to balance strategic
patience with multilateral activism, positioning itself as
a key player in global governance while navigating the
internal complexities of the expanded bloc. By carefully
managing its relationships with key BRICS members,
particularly China, India aims to maximize the
opportunities for cooperation while mitigating the risks
of marginalization or conflict within the group.
CONCLUSION
The expansion of BRICS represents a transformative
shift in the global geopolitical and economic landscape,
and India’s response to this shift re
flects its nuanced
approach to foreign policy. While welcoming the
growth of the group, India’s position remains guided by
its strategic autonomy doctrine, emphasizing a balance
between engaging with new members and
safeguarding its own strategic interests. The inclusion
of nations from West Asia, Africa, and Latin America
offers India significant opportunities to enhance energy
security, foster financial multipolarity, and strengthen
its climate and technology agendas. However, the
expansion also presents challenges, particularly in
terms of China’s increasing influence within the bloc
and the potential shift in the internal balance of power.
India’s cautious optimism towards BRICS expansion
illustrates its desire to maintain the group as a platform
for the Global South, preventing it from becoming
overly dominated by any one power, especially China.
India’s diplomatic strategy within BRICS+ is thus
characterized by a careful balancing act: maximizing
cooperation with diverse partners while counteracting
potential risks posed by a more China-centric bloc.
India’s interests in energy diversification, financial
independence, and regional leadership remain central
to its BRICS strategy.
Ultimately, India's engagement with BRICS expansion is
a critical component of its broader foreign policy, which
aims to foster a multipolar world order, promote
South-South cooperation, and influence global
governance reforms. As BRICS continues to grow in
both membership and geopolitical significance, India’s
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role within the group will be pivotal in shaping the
bloc’s future direction and its impact on global affairs.
India's calculated participation in BRICS+ reflects a
pragmatic strategy of strategic patience and
multilateral cooperation, reinforcing its commitment
to advancing the interests of emerging economies and
contributing to a more equitable international system.
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