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BRICS is an international group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Originally coined as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill from Goldman Sachs, it highlighted the fast-growing influence of these nations in global economic and political matters. South Africa officially joined the group in 2010, transforming it into BRICS.
BRICS represents around 40% of the world’s population, spans over 30% of the global GDP, and holds substantial influence in international affairs. The bloc was formed to foster cooperation among these nations and to present a unified front on global issues, especially in reforming international financial institutions and promoting development in emerging economies. For UPSC aspirants, BRICS is significant in the areas of global economic governance, international relations, and India’s foreign policy.
BRICS began as an informal grouping of rapidly developing nations with growing economies and increasing political influence. The group held its first formal meeting at the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ Summit in New York in 2006. Since then, it has held annual summits to coordinate policies and explore new areas of cooperation. South Africa’s inclusion in 2010 marked the expansion of BRIC into BRICS, reflecting the importance of Africa as a growing economic region.
BRICS was formed with key objectives to address shared challenges and harness mutual strengths. The main goals include:
Reform of Global Governance:
BRICS seeks to reform international organizations like the United Nations (UN), World Bank, and International Monetary Fund (IMF), advocating for a greater voice for emerging economies.
Economic Cooperation and Growth:
BRICS aims to enhance intra-BRICS trade and investment, and promote economic collaboration in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, technology, and innovation. The bloc seeks to create a balanced and diversified global economy by reducing dependency on traditional Western economic systems.
Promotion of Multilateralism:
The grouping champions a multipolar world where global power is distributed more evenly, and emerging economies have a greater say in international decision-making processes.
Developmental Cooperation:
BRICS works towards addressing challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and sustainable development. The nations focus on building strong cooperation in sectors such as energy security, food security, and social development.
Promoting Peace and Stability:
BRICS aims to maintain peace and security by encouraging dialogue on global security issues and counter-terrorism measures, while also supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes.
BRICS has established several institutional mechanisms to promote cooperation among its member nations. Some of the key ones include:
The BRICS Summit is held annually, with heads of state from all five nations participating to discuss political, economic, and social issues. These summits serve as a platform to coordinate policy and ensure collaboration on global challenges.
One of the most significant achievements of BRICS is the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, China. The NDB was created to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies. The bank is seen as an alternative to the World Bank and IMF, providing a more inclusive financing option for developing nations.
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), also established in 2014, aims to provide liquidity support to member countries during financial difficulties. It is designed to protect member nations from short-term balance of payments pressures and financial instability.
Formed to promote and enhance business, trade, and investment ties among BRICS countries, the BRICS Business Council serves as a bridge between the private sector and governments, helping to identify new opportunities for cooperation and growth.
BRICS has made significant strides in several areas:
Economic Cooperation:
BRICS has succeeded in increasing trade among member nations, reducing their reliance on Western economies. Intra-BRICS trade has grown significantly since the group’s formation.
New Development Bank (NDB):
The establishment of the NDB marked a major step towards creating an independent financial institution that could address the needs of emerging economies. The bank has financed numerous infrastructure projects, promoting sustainable development.
Cooperation on Global Issues:
BRICS nations have collectively addressed issues such as climate change, terrorism, global health, and sustainable development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BRICS countries, particularly India and China, played a key role in manufacturing and distributing vaccines.
Cultural and Educational Exchanges:
BRICS has fostered cultural exchanges and cooperation in areas like education, sports, and science. Programs such as BRICS Academic Forum and BRICS Youth Summit have enhanced people-to-people connectivity.
Despite its achievements, BRICS faces several challenges:
The five member countries differ significantly in terms of political systems, economies, and strategic interests. For instance, China and India have ongoing border disputes, while Russia and Brazil have different political ideologies. These differences often complicate collective decision-making.
The rising geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and China, impact BRICS dynamics. As the U.S. imposes sanctions and trade restrictions on BRICS members like Russia and China, it affects the group’s ability to collaborate without external pressure.
While BRICS has called for reforms in global institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank, the actual progress in achieving these reforms has been slow due to the entrenched power structures of these organizations.
The BRICS nations vary widely in terms of economic development. While China and India are rising global powers, South Africa and Brazil face economic instability, making intra-BRICS cooperation uneven.
India plays a pivotal role within BRICS, acting as a bridge between the developed and developing world. India’s priorities in BRICS include:
India’s active engagement in BRICS is essential for its global strategy, as it leverages the group to enhance its economic growth and promote its vision of a multipolar world.
BRICS, as an alliance of emerging economies, plays a significant role in shaping global governance. For UPSC aspirants, understanding BRICS is crucial for topics related to international organizations, global economics, and India’s foreign policy. While the bloc has achieved notable success in economic cooperation and development finance, internal differences and global geopolitical challenges remain obstacles to its full potential.
BRICS continues to represent the aspirations of the Global South for a more equitable and balanced world order,
Cyclones are intense circular storms that originate over warm tropical oceans. They are characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain. Cyclones form when warm, moist air rises over the ocean, creating a low-pressure area. As the air rises and cools, it condenses, releasing latent heat and strengthening the storm. The Coriolis effect causes the storm to rotate, leading to the formation of a cyclonic system.
Cyclones are classified based on wind speeds and intensity:
India’s coastline is vulnerable to cyclones from two primary sources:
Cyclones can cause:
India employs several strategies for cyclone management:
Climate change is expected to influence cyclones by potentially increasing their frequency and intensity. Rising sea temperatures may lead to more intense cyclones, while changes in atmospheric patterns could alter their frequency and tracks. Understanding these impacts is crucial for improving cyclone preparedness and adaptation strategies.
Cyclones are a significant natural hazard impacting human life, infrastructure, and the economy. For UPSC students, understanding cyclones is important for disaster management, environmental studies, and general knowledge. It helps in preparing for questions related to natural disasters, climate change, and environmental policies.
Detailed information about cyclones can be accessed through:
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