The Expansion of BricsAnd the Emerging Geopolitical Polarization: India’s Strategic Position

This article investigates the expansion of BRICS and its implications for India’s geopolitical position and foreign policy. The article focuses on the formal adoption of the BRICS+ model at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit, where six new nations—Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Egypt, Argentina, and Ethiopia—were invited to join the bloc. India’s approach to this expansion is analyzed through its doctrine of strategic autonomy, which emphasizes cautious engagement, consensus-driven decision-making, and the preservation of BRICS as a platform for the Global South. While India supports the enlargement for enhancing regional cooperation and energy security, it is cautious about the increasing influence of China within the bloc. The article further examines India’s strategic interests, including energy security, financial multipolarity, and climate cooperation, and discusses the potential risks and opportunities resulting from the inclusion of new BRICS members. The analysis reveals that India’s participation in BRICS+ is driven by a pragmatic desire to ensure a balanced and inclusive global order while countering the dominance of any single power. Ultimately, India’s involvement in the BRICS expansion reflects its broader ambitions of advancing South-South cooperation and shaping a more equitable international system in the context of an increasingly multipolar world.