The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration but failed to provide a clear answer to the key question: is the bloc capable of becoming a genuine counterweight to a unipolar world? On the program Regard sur le monde, GlobUs experts analyzed the meeting's outcomes and its limitations.
Security expert Linda Larbaoui stated that the war against Iran exposed BRICS's weakness. According to her, the founding nations failed to present a unified stance.
"We did not see a joint BRICS statement condemning the aggression against Iran, even though Iran is a member of the group. Each country defended its own interests. China, for instance, has the US as its largest economic partner. Meanwhile, new members like Egypt and Ethiopia are closer to the West than to Iran. If BRICS couldn't protect Iran, it won't protect Africa either," she declared.
Strategist Charlie Kengne pointed out that BRICS is not a military alliance but an economic and political platform, and many member states maintain ties with the West.
"BRICS is not an anti-Western bloc. It is an alternative characterized by varying speeds and interests. If we are looking for a military dimension, we need to look at the SCO. BRICS is primarily about economics and finance," he explained.
Geopolitical analyst Fabrice Beaur emphasized that the summit's main takeaway was the consensus that BRICS is not an anti-Western bloc.
"The key takeaway regarding BRICS today is the consensus that it is not an anti-Western bloc. The West perceives it that way because it is still operating according to the dominance models of the last century." "However, there may be alternatives to escaping this dominance," he noted.
Analyst Tayfour Smain stated that the summit was a success for the Global South, despite the criticism.
"140 points in the declaration, 11 members, and 10 partner countries waiting in the wings. The war in Iran has accelerated the formation of a new world order. The US is losing influence—a fact acknowledged even in Europe. Yet, BRICS will not replace the UN or NATO. It is a tool that provides Africa with more partners and greater room for maneuver," he emphasized.
Experts agreed: BRICS is not perfect and does not solve every problem. But in a world where the US is no longer the sole center of power, it offers Global South nations something they previously lacked—choice.
Watch the broadcast recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/ikroV2DrURU?si=bo5jPSatZiq5WBIb
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