Mains issueGS-2Editorials10 October 2026

BRICS and the Evolving Global Order: Relevance and Challenges for India

An aspirant should be able to critically evaluate BRICS's role in global governance, its internal dynamics, and its significance for India's foreign policy in a fragmented international order, moving beyond mere descriptive accounts to analytical assessment.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

Following the recent (future-dated in article) BRICS Summit and its New Delhi Declaration, the grouping's role in global governance, its internal dynamics, and its significance for India's foreign policy in a fragmented international order are critical for understanding contemporary international relations.

Core issue

The article analyzes the 18th BRICS Summit (dated September 2026 in the article) and its New Delhi Declaration, highlighting its achievements in forging consensus on global governance reform, trade, finance, energy, climate, technology, and health. It discusses BRICS's push for local currency trade, UN and Bretton Woods institution reform, and AI cooperation, framed within India's policy of strategic autonomy. However, the article also offers a sober assessment, questioning BRICS's long-term relevance in a 'fragmented world order' characterized by 'variable geometry' and 'pragmatic coalitions'. It points to unfulfilled demands, China's growing economic preponderance creating internal imbalance, and persistent India-China tensions as significant challenges limiting BRICS's ability to act in unison and achieve its stated objectives, particularly in challenging Western hegemony or becoming a truly integrated economic bloc.

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