BRICS Under Russia: Navigating Expansion, Internal Cohesion, And The West With An Eye On India's Role

As BRICS chair, Russia aims to improve its position by strengthening multilateralism to boost global development and security and engaging more potential members. To serve India’s interests, it mustn’t do so at the expense of the bloc’s inner coherence.

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the BRICS Business Summit via a prerecorded video on August 22, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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On 1 January 2024, the chairship of BRICS shifted from South Africa to Russia, with a full agenda in tow.  BRICS, a multilateral forum of five nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – made history by accepting the applications of six other states – Argentina, Saudi Arabia,  UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia to join it,  a decision taken at its 15th summit in Johannesburg in August 2023. These need to be absorbed into the grouping. How has the