Goal-oriented BRICS must deliver more tangible achievements

The 2026 BRICS summit in New Delhi marks the 20th anniversary of this important multilateral grouping. Two decades is a reasonable period to assess the relevance, progress and impact of any multilateral organization.

BRICS has certainly proved its relevance, as it is a major transcontinental platform of nations from the Global South, where nearly 85 percent of humanity lives. Despite significant variations in development levels among member nations, BRICS articulates the collective voice of developing countries. On the yardstick of progress, the platform has fared well. Its membership has expanded from five founders to 11, with many more nations expressing their keenness to join. This shows that smaller developing countries have a strong urge to be heard at global forums, and BRICS is beginning to meet this need.

However, on the benchmark of impact, BRICS urgently needs more tangible successes. The establishment of the BRICS bank, or the New Development Bank, headquartered in China, is a welcome step. However, it remains a modest response to the urgent need to reform the West-dominated global financial architecture. The world's big financial institutions and other organizations, which control most of the global financial resources, have insufficient interest in funding the pressing development needs of poor and underdeveloped nations in the Global South.

BRICS has been promoting local currency settlement to deal with trade obstacles. But the United States warned that BRICS countries would face 100 percent to 150 percent tariffs on exports to the US if they created a new "rival currency" or backed any move to undermine the dollar's global dominance.

However, key BRICS members have no intention of seeking confrontation with the US.

Meanwhile, the world is becoming more volatile. The bombing of Iran, the killing of innocent civilians, and the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have further destabilized West Asia, created new turbulence in global energy markets, and heightened uncertainty in the global economy. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is still ongoing with UN rules being violated.

It is in this context that the deliberations in New Delhi will be closely watched to see how the grouping will contribute to world peace.

Against these headwinds, the question is: should the world resign itself to this "might is right" principle? Should BRICS not show greater internal unity and muster the courage to call a spade a spade?

To help bring more positive momentum to the international community, BRICS should move faster and take concrete action to help address a range of pressing issues already discussed at previous summits — making global governance fairer and more democratic, with a stronger UN at its core; meeting climate action obligations; regulating artificial intelligence effectively and ensuring its benefits are inclusive; partnering to eliminate pandemics and killer diseases; strengthening collective initiatives for peace and security, and so on.

In particular, it is crucial that India and China step up multi-track dialogue to steadily improve and normalize bilateral relations. While recent efforts by the two governments to stabilize the border situation are welcome, lasting peace and tranquility between them requires sustained efforts from both sides. For instance, they can expand win-win cooperation across multiple fields, beginning with greater people-to-people contacts. This will set the stage for India and China to strengthen consensus-based action in BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20.

Besides, BRICS members should join hands and make the grouping more united and impactful. This would enhance the cohesion, credibility and effectiveness of the grouping. It's high time BRICS Plus became more united, dynamic and goal-oriented.

The author served as an aide to former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.