BRICS 2023 Summit: Gaining Weight and Under Change

• Russia’s President Vladimir Putin dominated the summit, despite South Africa’s diplomatic immunity.
• The summit highlighted ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
• Five new members joined the 15th summit: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• BRICS is now primarily a platform for Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs).
• The grouping pushed for comprehensive United Nations reform and the elimination of unilateral economic sanctions.
• Criticized Israel’s actions in West Asia and emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine.
• Focused on the common currency issue and suggested improvements to the New Development Bank.
• Aimed to strengthen people-to-people exchanges for social and economic development.
• Created a new category of ‘partner state’, inviting thirteen countries to join.
• BRICS is seen as a tool for India to promote multipolarity, exercise strategic autonomy, deepen relations with Russia, and advocate the interests of the Global South.
• The summit served as a platform for the first meeting in about five years between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.