The 2025 BRICS summit has marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of this influential coalition, as it increasingly positions itself as a counterweight to Western-led international institutions. With over 20 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia formally expressing interest in joining, BRICS’s expansion signals a shift toward greater multipolarity in global governance. This surge is driven by these nations’ desires to access new markets, diversify their international partnerships, and enhance their geopolitical leverage amidst a rapidly changing world order. According to a report by the South African Institute of International Affairs, BRICS now accounts for over 30% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), with intra-group trade increasing by more than 40% over the past five years. As India prepares to host the 2026 summit, the group faces critical decisions about its future trajectory, particularly regarding the contentious issue of Pakistan’s bid to join BRICS for membership. India’s strategic opposition underscores its regional security concerns and ambitions to shape the bloc’s evolution, positioning itself at a crucial crossroads of regional and global geopolitics.
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The Evolution and Expansion of BRICS
Initially founded in 2006 as a coalition of emerging economies seeking to challenge Western dominance, BRICS has gradually transformed from a purely economic alliance into a significant geopolitical actor. The group’s primary aim was to promote development cooperation among member states and advocate for a more equitable global order. Over time, the alliance has increasingly emphasized strategic influence, leveraging its collective economic strength to shape international norms. For example, the total GDP of BRICS now exceeds $27 trillion, representing approximately 30% of global GDP, with the group’s influence extending into global financial institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB), which has approved projects worth billions of dollars across member countries and beyond. Furthermore, the recent summit saw applications from over 20 nations eager to join, including countries from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This rapid influx of interest highlights BRICS’s rising appeal and its potential to reshape global power dynamics.
However, this growth also introduces challenges. Managing an increasingly diverse membership, spanning different political systems, economic capacities, and strategic interests, requires careful diplomacy. For instance, while some members prioritize economic development and infrastructure, others focus on geopolitical influence or security issues. As the group expands, maintaining cohesion becomes more complex, especially amid regional rivalries such as China-India tensions or differing views on global governance reforms. Therefore, while expansion offers opportunities for increased influence, it also tests BRICS’s ability to uphold its core principles of sovereignty, mutual benefit, and respect for diversity.
The BRICS Summit of July 2025 and Growing Global Interest
The July 2025 summit was historic, with more than fifteen countries formally expressing interest in joining BRICS. This marked a significant milestone, underscoring the group’s rising attractiveness as a counterbalance to Western institutions like the G7, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. Countries from Latin America, including Argentina and Mexico, sought membership, motivated by frustrations over Western sanctions and economic dominance. Similarly, nations from Africa and Southeast Asia, such as Nigeria and Indonesia, emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation for regional development.
This surge in applications prompted intense discussions among BRICS leaders about the criteria for admission and the organization’s future direction. Notably, while some members welcomed the expansion, India adopted a cautious stance. Officially, India supported the idea of enlarging BRICS but opposed Pakistan’s bid, citing regional security concerns. In the context of ongoing tensions with Islamabad, India’s opposition reflects a broader strategy to prevent Pakistan from gaining legitimacy on a global platform. Observers note that India’s diplomatic efforts included lobbying within multilateral forums and exerting influence during the summit to block Pakistan’s inclusion. This stance underscores the complexity of balancing economic cooperation with geopolitical rivalry, an issue that will continue to shape BRICS’s evolution.
India’s Strategic Stance Against Pakistan’s BRICS Bid
India’s opposition to Pakistan’s bid is rooted in deep-seated geopolitical tensions and security concerns. Since independence, India and Pakistan have engaged in multiple conflicts, including three wars and ongoing border disputes over Kashmir. India views Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, citing incidents such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks and ongoing cross-border militant activities. Consequently, New Delhi perceives Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS as a potential threat to regional stability and an endorsement of Islamabad’s security policies.
Moreover, India’s diplomatic strategy appears to be a calculated effort to shape BRICS’s future composition in its favor. For example, during the July 2025 summit, Indian diplomats reportedly lobbied other member states, emphasizing Pakistan’s alleged support for insurgencies and terrorism, which India claims undermine the group’s credibility. India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, explicitly stated that “BRICS must uphold the principles of stability and security,” implying that Pakistan’s membership could jeopardize these values. This approach indicates that India aims to use its influence within BRICS to contain Pakistan’s regional ambitions and prevent Islamabad from gaining a platform that could be used to rally regional or global support against Indian interests.
India’s Allegations and Regional Security Dynamics
In May 2025, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated along the Line of Control (LoC), characterized by artillery exchanges and skirmishes. India portrayed these incidents as evidence of Pakistan’s destabilizing role in South Asia. However, independent investigations, including reports from the United Nations and security analysts, revealed that India’s claims exaggerate Pakistan’s defensive military actions. The UN report clarified that Pakistan’s military activities were largely aimed at territorial defense and did not constitute acts of terrorism. These revelations fueled diplomatic debates, with India attempting to justify its opposition to Pakistan’s BRICS bid by citing security threats, while Pakistan and its supporters argued that India’s allegations are politically motivated.
This episode exemplifies how regional security concerns heavily influence BRICS’s membership politics. India’s narrative seeks to portray Pakistan as incompatible with BRICS’s values, especially given Islamabad’s alleged links to terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Conversely, Pakistan contends that its inclusion would foster regional stability through multilateral dialogue, countering India’s narrative of threat and hostility.
The Geopolitical Ramifications of India Hosting BRICS 2026
Looking ahead, India’s scheduled hosting of the 2026 BRICS summit significantly impacts the organization’s future. Hosting the summit offers India an unparalleled opportunity to shape the agenda, influence expansion policies, and project leadership on the global stage. Historically, host countries have used this platform to promote their strategic interests; for instance, India could prioritize issues like regional security, infrastructure development, or reform of international institutions to align with its vision of a multipolar world.
However, this development also raises concerns about the potential marginalization of Pakistan’s bid. Given India’s firm opposition and its recent diplomatic campaigns, it is highly probable that India will leverage its hosting privileges to influence the process and possibly block Pakistan’s accession. Moreover, India’s emphasis on security concerns, highlighted by ongoing tensions and propaganda campaigns, could be used to justify excluding Islamabad. Should this occur, Pakistan’s chances of joining BRICS in future expansions may diminish, and regional tensions could intensify, further complicating South Asian stability.
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The Broader Implications
India’s move to block Pakistan’s inclusion reflects broader regional and global dynamics. On one hand, it underscores India’s desire to maintain strategic dominance and shape regional alliances to its advantage. On the other, it highlights the fragility of BRICS’s cohesion amid diverging national interests. As the organization increasingly becomes a forum for geopolitical contestation, its ability to function as a united front for global development and reform could be strained. Clarity on membership criteria and decision-making processes will be crucial to preserving the organization’s legitimacy and stability.
The 2025 BRICS summit exemplifies both the organization’s rising influence and the complex geopolitical challenges it faces. While the influx of new applicants highlights BRICS’s expanding appeal as a counterbalance to Western dominance, India’s strategic opposition to Pakistan’s bid underscores the persistent regional rivalries and security concerns that threaten the group’s unity. As India prepares to host the 2026 summit, its influence is likely to intensify, potentially marginalizing Pakistan and shaping BRICS’s future trajectory. Ultimately, the success of BRICS in navigating these internal tensions and external pressures will determine whether it can evolve into a truly inclusive and influential global coalition, capable of fostering multipolarity and promoting equitable development worldwide. The unfolding dynamics in 2025 serve as a critical test of the organization’s resilience and its capacity to balance diverse interests in an increasingly complex international system.
