A worldwide situation has made clear that there are significant divisions in BRICS. The war in Iran has added to the pressure on BRICS. In this time of crisis, India is leading BRICS. However, due to each country having its own national interest, BRICS is struggling to remain united. The war has completely disrupted trade and energy around the world. It has made it hard for BRICS member countries to coordinate diplomatically. Iran has urged BRICS to have a united front against the United States and Israel.
BRICS has yet to make any joint statement regarding the actions of the United States and Israel. The lack of a joint statement shows the limits of the structure that is used to create BRICS. Instead of taking a stand with the other BRICS members, India has continued to use a cautious diplomatic method. India continues to call for dialogue and de-escalation of the tensions in Iran. Therefore, BRICS is losing credibility as a group. It is a test of BRICS member countries as leaders of the group and how cohesive they will be as an organization. It also shows the limits of a consensus-based diplomatic method.
India balances ties as divisions widen within expanded bloc
India has ties to all three parties involved in this conflict. It is connected to both Gulf states and Western nations as well as Iran. Many competing geopolitical interests require India to balance them appropriately. India will manage any discussions that take place within its borders as the Chair of the BRICS countries. The BRICS members also have very different viewpoints on the war in Ukraine.
For example, Iran wants other BRICS members to back it. While the Gulf states are worried about Iran’s actions as well as having different priorities than Iran (e.g., Saudi Arabia and the UAE), this creates a larger challenge for the BRICS countries when they attempt to respond collectively to the war in Ukraine. A growing number of analysts believe that the BRICS have not aligned themselves on security issues, and that the BRICS countries and their members tend historically to emphasize economic cooperation; therefore, geopolitical problems and crises expose the BRICS members to more of their internal divisions.
BRICS Divisions Strain Economic Agenda and Supply Chains
Key maritime trade routes have been severely impacted as a result of the conflict, including a limitation in the movement of vessels within the Strait of Hormuz. The flow of oil, gas, and fertiliser has slowed dramatically, and as a result, prices have soared in countries around the world. Shipping routes are longer because of rerouted ships. This will directly increase the cost of goods transported to BRICS economies. The rise in fertiliser prices due to the disruption in gas supply will result in global pressure on food supply chains within the importing nations. To deal with the domestic ramifications of the conflict, India has taken proactive steps to limit the impact on their economy. Authorities have locked in their current fertiliser supplies and have begun diversifying their supply sources. However, given the continuing nature of the conflict, additional measures may need to be implemented.
BRICS Divisions Highlight Limits of Consensus Diplomacy
The BRICS group has shown its internal divisions after the recent crisis, and its members have differing views on how to resolve the conflict. As a result, the BRICS group will be unable to provide a strong combined diplomatic response. Experts say that it will also not be easy for the BRICS group to develop a consensus around a unified position. Rather, BRICS functions primarily as a loose economic association and therefore is currently not expected to take any collective intervention action. While India is continuing to consult its member nations and develop relations through diplomatic channels, it has also attempted to remain neutral and stable in an effort to avoid taking sides.
The outcome will be determined by the broader geopolitical changes occurring in different parts of the world.
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