16th BRICS submit concluded successfully in the South Western Russian city of Kazan last week. This significant international organization is primary focused on economic corporation, global governance, political cooperation and collective development. Four emerging economics of the world founded the organization in 2001.
Brazil, Russia, China and India were the pioneer founding members. Later on, South Africa joined the block in 2010. Central theme of current summit ‘strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security’ reflects the sense of plurality prevailing among the member states. Idea of sustainable development through multilateral connectivity is attracting the Global South towards BRICS.
Further expansion of the platform can be assessed from the fact that 34 states are in the queue to seek either whole membership or partial cooperation from BRICS countries. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and UAE were at top in the list of states seeking full membership prior to the current summit scheduled from 22-24 October. Suit is being followed by some of the prominent states like Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Pakistan, Venezuela, Nigeria and Cuba. All these States, aspiring for BRICS membership, are known for significant relevance in respective regional dynamics.
Presently, BRICS states represent 45% of the world’s population and geographically hold 29% of the land. Statistical insights about collective GDP comparison between BRICS and G-7 blocs interestingly indicate better growth of the former. Statistically G7 States comprising robust economies of France, Germany, US, Italy, UK and Canada had a collective GDP of $45.92 trillion accounted as 43% of the global economy. Nine member states of BRICS are emerging at global canvas with $29 trillion collective GDP representing 23.42% of the global economy. In purchasing power parity domain BRICS GDP was accounted as 35.43% as compared to G7 states accounted just 29.63% of global economy.
Steady acceleration of BRICS states in economic arena is a worrisome factor for western bloc. Cutthroat global contestation mostly revolves around strong wish of economic dominance. Previous year, G7 bloc in annual summit stood unified on the agenda of tackling the China and Russia as global contestants. It is not hard to comprehend the real reasons which constantly compel the West to judge the China and Russia with the lens of hostility. Gradual ingress of China in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Global South is too enormous to ignore for the US and its Western allies. Russian factor is equally disturbing on many accounts. Ukraine war is undeniable proof of the Russian might and sensitivity about her territorial security. Western full-fledged support to Ukraine has failed so far to address the prime security vulnerabilities of the Kiev. European states are meaningfully hesitant on the request of Ukraine for the membership of European Union. Duality of the Western bloc is being questioned loudly at various forums.
Western condemnation of Russian military operations in Ukraine seems hollow when self-style champions of peace remain tight-lipped on the inhuman atrocities of Israel in Gaza and Lebanon. This ethical decline and double standards on the issues of human rights have brought the Western bloc on the left of Global South and under developed nations . Emergence of BRICS as an alternate global platform in less than quarter of a century clearly reflects discontentment of deprived nations with West dominated world order.
Arrival of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Russian city of Kazan to participate in BRICS summit was a big surprise. Turkey has formally applied to join the BRICS as permanent member. Such a request from NATO number state further endorses that Western dominance is gradually eroding amid inbuilt exploitive and coercive policies. Turkish inclination towards non-Western competitor bloc like BRICS is obviously driven with prolonged negative response of European Union on Istanbul’s request for membership. It seems that Turkey is ready to tackle the annoyance of the NATO and European Union for obvious drift to a bloc predominantly led by China and Russia. Dealing with the Western objections wouldn’t bother Turkey much once the firm US ally India is already among the founding members of BRICS.
Global contestation is rapidly evolving among major players as evident from the conflicts shaping up in Middle East and Ukraine. Clouds of war are looming over Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Yemen including the Red Sea region. Terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is endangering the security of Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan. Recent suicidal attack of banned Kurdish group on an aviation firm in Ankara resembles with the series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan ahead of SCO annual session. Turkish President’s presence in BRICS summit has risked significantly those powers who are openly confronting China and Russia. BRICS has created huge ripples with steady emergence on global chess-board as a major counter balance to West dominated world order.
