The complicated case of BRICS expansion: Why India wants to play it safe?

As the five BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa— meet in Johannesburg this month, on the agenda will be the expansion of membership as there is a high demand for inclusion into the club. As many as 13 countries reportedly have applied to join the club, and six more are waiting in the queue. But, just like all membership, it all boils down to certain criteria.

Like every club worth its salt, admission of new members in the BRICS clubs is complicated. Even as China pushes for expansion, India wants to maintain a delicate balance. While India has supported the expansion, there is concern that China may choose to tilt the balance of the forum in its favour. Among the countries waiting to join are Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran and Venezuela.

BRICS, like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, is viewed as an anti-West forum. With reports that member countries may float a BRICS currency—to be used in place of dollar for trade, and which may come as a direct threat to America—India will certainly want to play it safe. India has also strongly denied any opposition to the expansion of the grouping.

When asked about the expansion, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, “This is still a work in progress. We are approaching this with positive intent, with an open mind. There are many aspects to it. One part of it is to consolidate how the existing BRICS members are working with each other. The second part of it is how the BRICS engages non-BRICS countries. And the third part is how we look at possible BRICS expansion – what will be the appropriate format; for that is also something we need to work on.”

The rather cautious approach is also essential at a time when Russia has become weaker. Russia has publicly supported the idea.

India is not the only country that has chosen to view the expansion bid—supported by China—through the prism of altruism. Brazil too wants to ensure that the expansion is based on “rules’’. “Possibly, in this meeting, we can already consensually decide which new countries can join BRICS,” President Lula has been quoted as saying on Thursday, clarifying his country’s position. “I am of the opinion that as many countries want to enter, if they are in compliance with the rules we are establishing, we will accept the countries’ entrance.”

However, this cautious stand has been interpreted (read by China) as resistance to the expansion. With the meeting of leaders coming up at the end of the month, it is likely to be a practice round for the G20 meeting next month. And with the rumour that President Xi Jinping is also likely to make an appearance, the summit promises to be an exciting one.