First, What Is BRICS?
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was first coined by an economist in 2001 to group major emerging economies, and the countries held their first formal summit in 2009. For over a decade, these five nations
worked together as a bloc, aiming to increase their influence on the global stage and provide a collective voice for the 'Global South' (a term for developing countries). Their goals have included pushing for reforms in Western-led institutions like the World Bank and IMF and creating their own alternatives, such as the New Development Bank (NDB).
The New Kids on the Bloc
The first major expansion happened in 2024, when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially became full members. Invitations were also extended to Argentina and Saudi Arabia. Argentina, however, withdrew its application after a change in government. Indonesia became the newest member in 2025. The bloc has also introduced a 'partner country' status, which includes nations like Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and several others, allowing them to participate in BRICS summits without being full members.
Why the Sudden Growth Spurt?
The primary motivation behind the expansion is to build a 'multipolar' world order. Proponents, particularly China and Russia, see an enlarged BRICS as a powerful counterweight to the dominance of the United States and other Western nations, especially the G7. By bringing in more countries from the Global South, the bloc aims to amplify its collective economic and political clout. Together, the expanded group represents nearly half of the world's population and a significant portion of the global economy. For new members, joining offers access to alternative financing for development projects, new markets, and a platform to increase their own global influence.
The Core of the Debate: Bigger vs. Better
Not all members were initially on the same page about expansion. While China has been a strong advocate for rapid growth, India and Brazil were more hesitant, concerned that a larger group might dilute their own influence and become harder to manage. The central tension is whether a bigger BRICS will be a more effective one. Sceptics point out that the bloc is becoming increasingly diverse, mixing democracies with autocracies, and regional rivals like Iran and Saudi Arabia. This diversity could make it difficult to reach a consensus on key issues, from economic policy to stances on global conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
India's Cautious Approach
India has navigated the expansion debate with a balancing act. It supports making the bloc more inclusive of the Global South but insists that any growth should be based on clear, mutually agreed-upon criteria. New Delhi is wary of the group becoming too dominated by China or evolving into a purely anti-Western alliance. India's role as the 2026 BRICS chair, with a summit scheduled in New Delhi in September, is crucial. Under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” India aims to steer the group towards practical cooperation on issues like trade, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development, rather than focusing solely on geopolitical confrontation.
