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The world's top emerging economies are in Brazil this weekend for the BRICS Summit 2025, in the backdrop of volatile global geopolitics, US tariff threat in the Trump era, and the Israel-Hamas war. The three-day summit, the first since the expansion of the 11-member BRICS bloc to Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, is being hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday following his trips to Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, will try to advance India's core agenda, clear condemnation of terrorism, a framework for climate finance, deeper AI collaboration, and a push for trade settlement in national currencies to reduce dependence on the US dollar.

What Is BRICS?

BRICS is an economic and political bloc of the world's leading emerging economies collectively established by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Initially coined in 2001 as 'BRIC' by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill, the term later evolved into a diplomatic platform in 2006. It was in 2011 that South Africa joined the bloc, thereby adding the 'S' to BRICS. In 2023, the bloc announced a significant expansion during the Johannesburg Summit with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, making it an eleven-member diverse economies group representing the Global South. The declared purposes of the bloc are to deepen economic, political, and social cooperation, promote reforms in world governance institutions such as the UN, IMF, and World Bank, encourage sustainable development, and foster more balanced international relations.

Who Is More Powerful BRICS Or G7?

Perhaps the most frequently asked question in the world is whether BRICS is stronger than the G7. That depends on what is the criteria for measuring power are. BRICS nations account for roughly half the world's population and almost 40 per cent of the world's GDP, placing them with gargantuan demographic and economic clout. The group also dominates huge natural resources, from oil and gas to minerals and agricultural production. But the G7 consisting of the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan is still economically larger in per capita terms, more technologically developed, and more plugged into Western economic systems. The G7 also exercises gigantic influence by way of NATO, the IMF, the World Bank, and other international institutions that they founded and still pretty much control. Thus, although BRICS is a strong counterbalance advocating for a multipolar world, G7 maintains greater institutional and technological influence.

Who is More Powerful NATO Or BRICS?

It should be noted that NATO is a military alliance but not an economic bloc. The combined defense spending by NATO is far higher than any other bloc's, and this provides it with unparalleled military capacity. BRICS is not a military alliance. It's an economic cooperation, trade, and development finance stronghold. Therefore, a direct comparison between NATO and BRICS is an apples-and-oranges comparison one is a military alliance, and the other is an economic-political discussion forum.

Who Are The BRICS Members In 2025?

BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Partner nations such as Vietnam, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and Malaysia are also engaged, attending select meetings and coordinating on more general Global South issues.

What is BRICS' Agenda This Year?

The 2025 summit in Brazil is dedicated to reshaping global governance, increasing South-South cooperation, climate finance, cooperation on artificial intelligence, and new health programs to address inequalities in emerging countries. Trade settlement in local currencies is another major agenda, with the purpose of making the bloc less dependent on the US dollar a clear message to Washington that BRICS wants greater financial sovereignty. One of the biggest positives of this year's summit is India's effort to ensure a robust joint front against cross-border terrorism. The final communiqué is likely to deplore the Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu & Kashmir recently that left 26 dead, most of them tourists.

Why BRICS Expansion Matters?

The drive for expansion was led primarily by China, looking to increase its clout among emerging world powers. South Africa and Russia were strong supporters. India and Brazil were wary initially India wanted to avoid becoming a China mouthpiece; Brazil did not wish to isolate Western allies. But the expanded bloc has broader geographic reach, additional resources, and additional political clout. For new entrants such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, BRICS membership offers access to development funding with fewer strings attached and an alternative platform not dominated by US and EU interests.

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Does BRICS Have Any Concrete Achievements?

Yes. BRICS is not just talk. The group established the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2015, which has sanctioned 39 billion USD in loans to infrastructure and development projects. They also have a 100 billion uSD Contingent Reserve Arrangement, basically a collective fund to assist members in a currency crisis. They are building alternative payment systems to circumvent Western-dominated systems such as SWIFT, in part to allow Russia to circumvent US-led sanctions. BRICS has also emerged as a forum to exchange global health, climate change, and food security solutions – particularly after the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

Why Does India Matter in BRICS?

India is the world's most populous nation and the fastest-growing large economy. It's regarded as a democratic check on China in BRICS. India has refused to make the bloc an anti-Western platform staying close to the US and Europe while participating fully in BRICS. Under PM Modi, the priorities of India in BRICS are terrorism, balanced geopolitics, equitable global trade rules, and promotion of sustainable development goals. India also leads the New Development Bank and ensures that smaller economies are heard.

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The Rio de Janeiro summit arrives at a timely moment: US-China tensions are acute, President Trump's tariff threats are revived, the Middle East is beset, and numerous developing countries face debt and climate issues. Whether BRICS can navigate the internal divergence, particularly between China and India, and advocate reforms within the UN, WTO, and World Bank will decide if it continues to be a meaningful alternative to Western-led clubs such as the G7. With a growing membership, a stronger collective voice, and an insistence on financial autonomy, BRICS is sending a strong message, the Global South needs and demands a larger place at the world table immediately.