BRICS 17th Summit 2025 in Brazil

• The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6-7, 2025.
• Donald Trump's threat to impose 10% additional tariffs on BRICS countries.

• The BRICS 2025 Summit is a significant international event that frequently appears in UPSC current affairs. It highlights India’s role and leadership in global affairs, which is essential for comprehending India’s foreign policy.
• GS Paper 2 (International Relations & Polity): Useful for questions on India’s foreign policy, international groupings, and global governance reforms.
• GS Paper 3 (Economy & Environment): Helps with topics related to economic cooperation, climate change, sustainable development, and technology.

BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - a group of major emerging economies that came together to have a stronger voice in global affairs.

The group was formed because these countries believed that international organizations like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations were controlled by Western powers and didn’t fairly represent the needs of developing nations. Today, BRICS has grown into a powerful alliance, representing over 45% of the world’s population and 35% of global GDP.

Current Status:

• 11 full members as of 2025 (expanded from the original 5).
• 10 partner countries with limited participation rights.

Next, let's understand the broader agenda that drives BRICS cooperation.

BRICS operates under three main pillars of cooperation to achieve its goals:

1. Political and Security Cooperation:

• Reform of global governance institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank).
• Counter-terrorism and security cooperation.
• Peaceful resolution of international conflicts.

2. Economic and Financial Cooperation:

• Trade enhancement among member countries.
• Utilizing local currency to reduce dollar dependence.
• New Development Bank for infrastructure financing.

3. Cultural and People-to-People Cooperation:

• Academic and educational exchanges.
• Startup ecosystems collaboration.
• Sports and cultural events.

Early Formation (2001-2009):

• 2001: Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill coined "BRIC" term.
• 2006: First informal meeting of BRIC foreign ministers.
• 2009: First official BRIC summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Expansion Phase (2010-2024):

• 2011: South Africa joined, creating "BRICS".
• 2014: Established the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
• 2024: Major expansion with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE joining.

Current Phase (2025):

• Indonesia becomes the 11th full member.
• 10 partner countries added.
• Over 44 countries are expressing their interest in joining.

Also read: June 2025 Current Affairs Magazine.

Let’s take a closer look at the primary outcomes that resulted from this year’s summit.

The 17th BRICS Summit achieved several significant milestones under the theme "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance."

Major Declarations and Outcomes

Rio de Janeiro Declaration:

• A comprehensive document outlining shared goals and future cooperation.
• 126 commitments covering global governance, finance, health, AI, and climate change.
• Strong emphasis on multilateralism and reform of international institutions.

New Initiatives Launched

1. Climate Finance Framework:

• New mechanism to mobilize climate finance for developing countries.
• Focus on green bond markets and carbon accounting improvements.
• Support for Tropical Forest Forever Facility.

 2. AI Governance Statement:

• First comprehensive BRICS statement on artificial intelligence governance.
• Emphasis on responsible AI development and deployment.
• Framework for Global South cooperation on AI technology.

 3. Health Partnership:

• Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases Targeting Tuberculosis.
• Focus on reducing health disparities in developing countries.

Expansion Achievements

1. New Full Member:

• Indonesia officially joined as the 11th full member.
• First Southeast Asian nation to become a full BRICS member.

 2. Partner Countries:

• 10 new partner countries welcomed: Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a central role at the summit, representing India’s vision for a multipolar world order. India’s key contributions included:

India’s Core Message

• Multipolar World Order: PM Modi emphasized that BRICS could play a crucial role in shaping a multipolar world, particularly when the global order is under pressure.
• UN Security Council Reform: India strongly advocated for urgent reforms in global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, to better represent contemporary realities.
• Counter-Terrorism Stance: India took a firm position against terrorism, with PM Modi noting that the Pahalgam terror attack was not just an attack on India but on the entire humanity.

India’s Four Key Suggestions

1. New Development Bank: Should follow demand-driven principles and long-term sustainability.
2. Science Repository: Establish a BRICS Science and Research repository for Global South countries.
3. Critical Minerals: Secure and make resilient the supply chain of essential minerals.
4. Responsible AI: Balance AI governance concerns with promoting innovation.

India’s 2026 Presidency

India announced that it would assume the BRICS presidency in 2026, proposing a new interpretation of BRICS: “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Let's now understand the significant opposition BRICS faces from the United States.

Also cover this important topic: Revitalizing India’s Nuclear Energy Sector: Challenges, Opportunities & Reforms

The United States, under President Trump, has taken an intensely hostile stance toward BRICS, viewing it as a significant threat to American interests:

1. Tariff Warfare:

• 10% additional tariffs on any country aligning with BRICS' "anti-American policies".
• No exceptions policy - even close allies like India are not exempted.
• 100% tariffs threatened if BRICS tries to replace the US dollar.

 2. Dollar Defense:

• Trump declared "the dollar is king" and accused BRICS of trying to "destroy the dollar".
• Demand for commitment that the BRICS won't create an alternative currency.

US Concerns About BRICS

 1. Economic Threats:

• De-dollarization efforts - BRICS countries trading in local currencies.
• Alternative financial institutions like the New Development Bank are challenging Western systems.
• Growing economic influence - BRICS now accounts for 40% of global GDP.

 2. Geopolitical Challenge:

• View BRICS as a Chinese-driven effort to curb US global influence.
• Concern about anti-Western alliance formation.
• Fear of a multipolar world order replacing the US-led unipolar system.

• Political Systems: BRICS includes both democracies (India, Brazil, South Africa) and authoritarian systems (China, Russia), creating ideological tensions.
• Bilateral Disputes: China-India border tensions, potential Saudi-Iran rivalry, and Egypt-Ethiopia disputes over the Nile dam complicate consensus-building.
• Economic Disparities: Vast differences in economic size, with China's GDP far exceeding smaller members like South Africa.
• US Opposition: American tariff threats and sanctions create pressure on BRICS members to choose sides.
• Implementation Gaps: Difficulty translating declarations into concrete actions and binding commitments.
• Consensus Requirement: Need for unanimous agreement slows decision-making and weakens positions.

The 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro marked a significant milestone in the evolution of global governance, showcasing the increasing influence of emerging economies in international affairs. With its expansion to 11 full members and 10 partner countries, BRICS now represents the largest coalition of developing nations in the world.

India’s leadership role in BRICS, especially with its upcoming presidency in 2026, positions the country as a crucial link between the various factions within the group. As the world shifts toward a more multipolar order, BRICS’ capacity to balance unity and diversity will determine its effectiveness in challenging Western-dominated institutions and creating a more inclusive global governance system.

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