Global tensions are rising, with recent clashes between India and Pakistan, and between Israel and Iran, directly involving BRICS members. These incidents highlight the bloc’s internal diversity and the challenges it faces in maintaining unity. As BRICS expands, internal differences are increasing, making it harder to maintain a single voice. This naturally leads to more cautious language and vague formulations, which can be frustrating for observers but reflect a pragmatic approach.
The United States under Donald Trump has adopted a more explicitly anti-BRICS stance, issuing direct threats and imposing new duties on countries aligned with the bloc. These actions aim to deter deeper cooperation among BRICS members. Despite these pressures, most BRICS countries remain cautious about direct confrontation with the West, though they are developing growing resentment. If US pressure intensifies, a more firm response from the bloc may emerge.
The rotation of the BRICS presidency from Russia to Brazil has also changed the group’s dynamics. For Russia, BRICS serves as both an economic and political platform that bypasses Western gatekeeping. Moscow invests heavily in its BRICS role. In contrast, Brazil’s focus is more on its ties with the West, though it remains interested in BRICS. This shift in leadership highlights the diverse priorities within the bloc and the evolving nature of its cooperation.
Despite these challenges, the Rio summit is seen as a success. The group has matured, acquiring a new identity that reflects its growing importance. This development will take time to fully integrate, and India’s upcoming presidency may continue the current phase of restraint. However, this should not be mistaken for stagnation but rather a necessary period of consolidation. The group’s appeal lies in its alignment with global trends that demand flexibility, minimal obligations, and openness to difference.
The perception of BRICS is shifting from a rhetorical device or a curiosity to a central element of the emerging multipolar world. This evolution, while slow and uneven, is underway, signaling a fundamental shift in global dynamics. As the bloc adapts to a more contested international environment, it is increasingly becoming a central element in the redefinition of traditional power structures, marking a significant moment in the ongoing transition toward a more balanced and multipolar global order.