Reshaping world order in Kazan, the BRICS way

In the picturesque Russian city of Kazan, a new avatar of expanded and revivified BRICS 2.0 was born, with the promise of recasting the international order that is more aligned with aspirations of the Global South.

The summit took place at a time when the cleavage between the West and the rest is sharpening divisions in a conflicted world. Against this backdrop, the Kazan summit was a clarion call for forging a reformed global governance architecture and a pointed message to the West that the Rest will not continue to sulk on the sidelines, but will seize the moment to reshape the world order.

With 13 countries coming in as partner countries and the addition of four new members at the last summit in Johannesburg, a reinvigorated BRICS is now emerging as an alternate G20, with Global South running the show amid increasing pushback by the West to reclaim its turf. The expansion of the grouping reflects the inclusive character of the new BRICS 2.0, marked by vibrant diversity, pluralism and openness to accommodating new voices and narratives. The list of partner countries endorsed by BRICS members, done amid intense competition and lobbying, reveals the outline of this rejuvenated expanded grouping.