11 January 2025 : Daily Answer Writing
Q1) Evaluate the potential of the BRICS as a consequential voice of the Global South and in challenging the status quo in global governance. (150 Words/10 Marks)
ANSWER:
BRICS is the acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. is an intergovernmental organization that aims to strengthen cooperation on matters related to security, economics and cultural exchanges. Currently the BRICS consists of 9 members with addition of Egypt, Iran, UAE, and Ethiopia.
Potential of the BRICS as a voice of Global South:
1. Geoeconomic:
a. BRICS countries together account for a substantial portion of the world’s population, GDP and global trade;
b. Can redefine the international economic order’s rules and norms and present an alternative narrative for global governance framework [e.g., BRICS payment system as a potential alternative in future to SWIFT payment system]
c. Creation of New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as an alternative for Bretton Wood Institutions like WB and IMF and strengthen the financial positioning.
d. In the 15th summit – decision to investigate the potential development of a shared currency for trade and investment within their nations.
2. Geopolitical and Strategic significance:
a. As representatives of the developing world, advocating for more inclusive global governance structures that reflect the interests and perspectives of the Global South
b. Platform to resolve issues of global concerns without western mediation [e.g., participation from Russia, providing a political route to initiate a dialogue-based solution to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict]
c. India’s participation in BRICS as well as in QUAD/G7 show the adaptability towards a multipolar world order.
d. In the 15th BRICS summit, the countries voiced their endorsement for the restructuring of the United Nations and other global organizations
3. Developmental Partnership:
a. Collective commitment to strengthening collaboration in health, research and innovation.
b. India has suggested for formation of a space exploration consortium within the BRICS nations [15th BRICS summit].
c. In the 14th BRICS summit, the members called upon the UN to manage the humanitarian crisis in and around Ukraine.
However, there are certain challenges that BRICS faces:
- Recent expansion of BRICS appears as an anti-West configuration rather than being representative of the Global South.
- With China and India and other new members with bilateral differences, consensus on key issues, such as terrorism and trade imbalance, will be hard to be reach.
- Geopolitical rivalries such as India-China may hamper the group from putting up a united front to represent the Global South.
- Developmental and economic disparities within the countries in the grouping may be an obstacle in ensuring equitable benefits.
- Members of the grouping have varied security concerns, hence, often shift their global alliances based on prevailing geopolitical dynamics.
For more such UPSC related Mains Answer Writing, Check Out 10 Januray 2025 : Daily Answer Writing
