Courtesy: Körber-Stiftung
The third Emerging Middle Powers Report reveals interesting trends. In every recent year, the five countries surveyed – India, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia – have been tested by events to prove they can prevail over the contested terrain of global politics. A pattern has emerged linking them together: non-alignment is their preferred response to a fragmenting order.
Courtesy: Gateway House
The 2026 Persian Gulf conflict has pushed energy security to the forefront of the BRICS agenda. Divergent national interests prevent the grouping from acting as a unified geopolitical bloc, the growing energy crisis highlights the need for stronger economic cooperation. Proposals such as a BRICS energy reserve, an Energy Stability Fund, and cross-border investments could enhance resilience and be essential if BRICS wants to emerge as a serious economic grouping.
Courtesy: DD India
BRICS is too significant to ignore but too fragmented to drive meaningful change for the developing world. The West Asia conflict, U.S. tariff threats over de-dollarisation, UNSC reform divisions, and the presence of regional rivals has exposed its internal strains. Will India’s ongoing 2026 chairship rise above the contradictions, and manage to turn BRICS from a reactive forum into a more assertive and credible global force?