BRICS Meeting in Kazan: Power Play and International Relations Amidst Sanctions
Between Tuesday and Thursday, the BRICS meeting will convene in Kazan, Russia. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the group has recently expanded to include Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. This notable expansion signifies a deeper global engagement as these countries collectively represent around 45% of the world's population and 28% of the global economy.
The previous BRICS meeting was marked by the notable absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who chose not to attend due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, issued in March 2023. However, Putin will be present at this meeting, leveraging the platform to counter the narrative of Russia’s international isolation as a consequence of the sanctions stemming from its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
So far, 32 countries have confirmed attendance, with about twenty sending their heads of state. Among the key figures expected to meet with Putin are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, one of the founding members of BRICS, will not attend due to health issues. Iran will be represented by its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
The focus of this meeting will likely emphasize the enhanced influence of BRICS following its expansion. This narrative, as noted by Alexander Gabuev from the Carnegie Endowment, portrays an image of Russia being shunned by the West but embraced by a majority of the international community, suggesting a shift in global power dynamics.
To ensure a safe and controlled environment during the meeting, Kazan authorities have even suspended alcohol sales in the city center. This highlights the significance of the event, which may extend beyond mere symbolism to the pursuit of concrete objectives. Reports indicate that one major aim for Putin is the establishment of an international payment system dubbed the BRICS Bridge, designed to help alleviate the financial strain inflicted by Western sanctions and to bypass SWIFT, the global international banking communications network.
On the geopolitical front, reports have emerged indicating Russia and Iran are negotiating a strategic partnership, with Iran playing a crucial role in providing drones used in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. However, the relationship between some members, particularly Brazil, India, and South Africa, reveals a reluctance to firmly align BRICS with anti-Western sentiments. These nations are more interested in economic collaboration than military alliances, a sentiment echoed by various countries eager to join BRICS for its economic potential.
Internal divisions, however, remain a concern. A month prior, the foreign ministers of BRICS nations struggled to agree on a final communiqué due to disagreements from Egypt and Ethiopia. Notably, some countries such as Algeria, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia declined the invitation to join despite the opportunities presented by BRICS.
The effectiveness and impact of the BRICS framework have been challenged by critics, including British economist Jim O'Neill, who originally coined the acronym BRIC in 2001. O'Neill questioned the group's overall efficacy and the achievements of its past meetings, remarking that while the leaders may present a united front, BRICS has not made any substantial changes in the global governance landscape.
Moreover, the longstanding rivalry between China and India poses a significant limitation on BRICS' cohesion. Nevertheless, recent developments suggest a potential easing of tensions, with agreements reached on border disputes following earlier military clashes. Details of this agreement remain undisclosed but may foster a more united front in Kazan.
As BRICS leaders prepare for their meeting, the overarching concern remains whether they can transcend their internal divisions and rivalries to forge a path toward solidifying their influence on the global stage.
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