The 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia highlights a concerning yet calculated evolution in global geopolitics. Russia, the host nation, sought to bolster its international stature by convening the annual summit, drawing over 30 sovereign states despite facing international condemnation for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and enduring Western-backed sanctions.

Several key outcomes emerged from the gathering. The first was the Kazan Declaration, a strategic framework aimed at intensifying political, economic, and security cooperation among member states. Second, the summit initiated a second wave of expansion, incorporating 13 new partner countries, including politically neutral ASEAN members and even a NATO ally. Third, it facilitated a rare meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enabling discussions to address long-standing border tensions between the two nations.

The expansion and increasingly assertive rhetoric at this summit illustrate BRICS’ ambition to challenge the West’s dominance in the global sociopolitical and economic order. By holding the summit in Russia amidst strained relations with the West and incorporating Iran—a nation also seeking to bypass U.S.-backed sanctions—BRICS has signaled its intent to consolidate an alternative global agenda.

Among the initiatives introduced during the summit was the BRICS Grain Exchange System, designed to address food insecurity in member states, including Ethiopia. By reducing vulnerabilities tied to fluctuations in Western economies, the grain exchange reflects the bloc’s intention to establish resilience against global economic disruptions. This measure is particularly timely, given the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on wheat and fertilizer supplies worldwide.

Additionally, the Kazan Declaration endorsed a counterterrorism strategy rooted in India’s Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism Initiative. This represents a significant milestone, as it provides the first formal roadmap for enhanced security collaboration among BRICS nations.

The summit also facilitated high-level bilateral discussions. Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met on the sidelines to discuss their nations’ longstanding border dispute. While they agreed to revisions in patrolling protocols along the Line of Actual Control, further skirmishes remain a persistent risk. Nonetheless, such meetings highlight the potential of BRICS to mediate internal tensions among its members.

Perhaps the most consequential development at the summit was the decision to expand BRICS by adding 13 new partner nations. This marked the introduction of a two-tier membership structure: formal members, who enjoy full voting rights, and partner countries, who participate without such powers. The 13 new partners include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Their inclusion significantly broadens BRICS’ geographic and political reach, incorporating Southeast Asian economies and even NATO-member Turkey.

The expanded bloc now represents 45 percent of the global population and 35 percent of global GDP. This growth could accelerate BRICS’ momentum to establish alternative economic systems and promote the use of non-Western currencies in international trade.

As BRICS grows, its narrative as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions becomes increasingly pronounced. The Chinese-backed New Development Bank (NDB) has emerged as a central pillar of this strategy. Unlike the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the NDB offers loans without stringent policy conditions, making it an attractive option for emerging economies. Brazilian President Lula da Silva emphasized this sentiment, stating, “The bank [NDB] exists to help save countries and not to sink countries, which is what the IMF does many times.”

This appeal of non-conditional loans resonates with many developing nations, which often view Western-imposed reforms as restrictive or misaligned with their domestic needs. For states like Iran, Russia, and China, the NDB also provides a crucial avenue to bypass sanctions and engage economically without reliance on Western systems.

The inclusion of countries under Western sanctions reflects a broader shift in BRICS’ identity. What began as an economic coalition now seems poised to pursue a more overtly geopolitical agenda. Its growing membership and ambitious initiatives underscore its potential to reshape global financial and political systems. However, this trajectory also amplifies concerns that the bloc could increasingly serve the interests of authoritarian states under the guise of fostering a multipolar world order.

While the rhetoric surrounding BRICS centers on fairness and inclusion, its ability to deliver on these promises remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the bloc has become a significant force in international relations. Its continued expansion and defiance of Western norms demand closer scrutiny as it navigates the challenges of forging a new global paradigm.