Archive · 12 Sep 2026
BRICS remains India's hedging tool amid possible G2, G3
BRICS is a group where countries discuss shared interests and global problems.
An expert says it has become more useful because the world is divided and uncertain.
India can use BRICS to work with different countries without choosing only one major partner.
However, the expert does not think BRICS is powerful enough to redesign the whole world order.
Adding many more members could make it harder for the group to agree.
A world dominated by the United States and China, called a G2, could make things more difficult for India.
A system dominated by the United States, China, and Russia, called a G3, could also be a setback for India.
The expert will watch what BRICS says about wars, relations with the West, and possible common payment arrangements.
An expert says BRICS has gained renewed importance amid geopolitical fragmentation and uncertainty.
The forum is described as useful for India but unlikely to reshape the international system.
Rapid expansion could reduce BRICS cohesion, especially because members have differing interests and agendas.
A tight G2 or G3 order would limit India's ability to maneuver internationally, the expert says.
The expert expects BRICS's summit language on wars, the West, currencies, and payment systems to be closely watched.
- Who
- BRICS members, including India, China, and Russia; Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the leaders attending.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Summit is being held as experts assess the group's relevance and possible effects of a G2 or G3 world order.
- When
- During India's hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- BRICS provides a forum for cooperation and hedging among countries amid a fragmented international system.
BRICS benefits and multipolarity
BRICS limits and concentrated power
BRICS's current value
BRICS benefits and multipolarity
BRICS remains useful because it gives India and other countries a place to cooperate on specific interests and hedge among major powers.
BRICS limits and concentrated power
BRICS lacks the geopolitical power to reorder the international system or decisively influence major conflicts.
Further expansion
BRICS benefits and multipolarity
A larger membership can bring more countries and concerns into the forum, potentially giving it broader significance.
BRICS limits and concentrated power
Expanding without a clear plan can weaken the common agenda, reduce coherence, and make BRICS less relevant.
G2 or G3 world order
BRICS benefits and multipolarity
The expert says a tight bipolar or tripolar order is not currently expected because other powers can still shape regional orders.
BRICS limits and concentrated power
If the United States and China, or the United States, China, and Russia, dominate the system, second-order powers such as India would have less room to maneuver.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Host
- India
- Location
- New Delhi
- BRICS role
- A useful hedging instrument and forum for issue-based cooperation
- Main concern
- Rapid expansion could reduce cohesion and relevance
- Possible alternatives
- A G2 involving the United States and China, or a G3 involving the United States, China, and Russia
- Issues to watch
- Summit language on ongoing wars, the West, common currency, and payment mechanisms