BRICS Summit in Kazan Highlights Shifting Geopolitical Alliances and Growing Influence of the Global South
The BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, held from October 22-24, 2024, has captured significant global attention, underscoring the evolving geopolitical landscape. This summit reflects the growing influence of non-Western nations, particularly in light of the West’s efforts to isolate Russia and impose sanctions.
Russia’s Strengthening Alliances
Despite the West’s sanctions and military pressures aimed at weakening Russia, Moscow’s international relations have deepened, particularly with China, India, and several countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Russia’s expanding role within BRICS and the wider international sphere has signaled a shift in global power dynamics. Notably, Russia’s alliance with China has solidified, while India has maintained its strategic ties with Moscow, undeterred by Western pressures. Additionally, Russia has strengthened its relationships with Arab countries and nations in the ASEAN bloc.
BRICS Expansion: A Rejection of Western Isolation
BRICS’s expansion in 2023 with the addition of Egypt, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia marked a significant shift. The expansion reflected the Global South’s rejection of Western policies and their desire for a more inclusive and reformed international system. Around 40 countries have shown interest in joining BRICS, a forum in which Russia holds a crucial role. This growing interest highlights the attractiveness of Russia as a partner, especially in light of the West’s perceived double standards on issues such as military interventions, sanctions, and the weaponization of the US dollar.
The Struggle for Consensus and Challenges of Further Expansion
The expansion of BRICS raises questions about the future direction of the forum, particularly regarding membership criteria and consensus-building. With the addition of new members, achieving consensus on key issues may become more challenging, as evidenced by the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in June 2024, where no joint communiqué could be issued due to differing positions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the challenges posed by further expansion but emphasized that the focus will remain on integrating new partners into the forum’s processes. For now, rather than expanding membership, the forum is looking to enhance its base by forming partnerships with key countries from the Global South.
New Partners and Geopolitical Shifts
The Kazan summit saw 13 new BRICS partners accepted, including Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The inclusion of four ASEAN nations—Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam—demonstrates the growing regional influence of BRICS. Russia’s inclusion of Turkey, a NATO member, has also raised eyebrows, but this decision highlights Turkey’s geopolitical importance for Moscow, especially in its efforts to balance its ties with both NATO and non-Western countries.
While countries like Algeria and Uzbekistan secured partner status after earlier setbacks, Pakistan, a key player in the region, was notably excluded, partly due to India’s strong opposition. However, Russia’s support for Pakistan’s potential inclusion suggests ongoing tensions within the forum about balancing regional interests.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Position
Though Saudi Arabia was approved for BRICS membership at the last summit, its formal acceptance has not yet been conveyed. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan represented the kingdom at the Kazan summit, signaling its growing importance in the BRICS framework. The ongoing engagement between Saudi Arabia and the US, particularly through visits like that of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Riyadh during the summit, suggests the kingdom’s strategic balancing act between Western allies and BRICS.
A New Era of Global Influence
The BRICS summit in Kazan marks a crucial point in the evolving geopolitical order, with countries from the Global South seeking a more equitable global system. While challenges remain, especially in building consensus with new members, the summit underscored the growing influence of Russia and its partners, reshaping the dynamics of global power away from traditional Western dominance.
