India makes major gains as BRICS 2025 joint statement takes on the West
In a landmark joint declaration (more than 16,000 words) at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the bloc on Sunday laid out a very comprehensive roadmap of its geopolitical role that had two key features.
The first is a challenge to western hegemony to make international trade, governance, and financing much more transparent, so as to avoid unilateral transgressions like economic sanctions. The second is a focus on on how the Global South can cooperate at the political and economic levels.
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In doing so, the BRICS in its declaration, has questioned the governance structure of the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI)—the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—that actually paved the way for the dollarisation of the global economy.
In effect, without mentioning the attempt at ‘de-dollarisation’, the BRICS declaration makes a compelling case for the same.
At the same time, while underlining the centrality of the UN, BRICS sought a “comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council”, to make it more representative and reflective of the contemporary realities. The statement included a support for India’s and Brazil’s aspirations “to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council”.
It also voiced strong support for multilateral institutions like WHO and WTO.
These are significant positions given the fact that US President Donald Trump is looking at drastically cutting aid for the UN (with 22 per cent funding, the US is the biggest contributor to the UN) after having withdrawn from the WHO.
The BRICS nations' intent is clear—it would operate as a big pressure group with a view to democratise international financial and political institutions to reflect contemporary realities, while also seeking a ‘restructure’ and representation for all.
On the face of it, India would go back very happy.
Firstly, India continues to be at the BRICS high table, despite having variances with the other members on the issue of the Russia-Ukraine and the Iran-Israel conflict.
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Secondly, the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025 was condemned in no uncertain terms. The declaration said: “We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing, and safe havens.”
Third, in the backdrop of India’s ongoing negotiations with the US, the BRICS position on the US threat to impose big tariff and non tariff restrictions would definitely not harm India. The joint statement had mentioned: “We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.”
Fourth, the demand for equitable representation in multilateral bodies—including the UN Security Council—would obviously help India’s long-standing demand for a Security Council permanent membership.
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