The BRICS SUMMIT 2022 can subvert the paradigm of global narratives. If the member countries, especially the Brobdingnags -Russia, India and China (RIC)- show cohesion. Many Western analysts portray BRICS as a glorified PR attempt for participating countries. The evolving BRICS cross-border payment mechanisms- an alternative to the SWIFT global banking network may impinge them. To give this some milieu, the share of the US dollar in the Russia–China bilateral trade settlement fell from nearly 90% in 2015 to 46% in 2020 (Reference SimesSimes, 2020).
The BRICS countries are home to 41.5% of the world population. Thus, they have a more significant responsibility to re-establish peace and order. The BRICS Brobdingnags-Russia, India and China–are facing challenges. Russia and China are facing challenges from the western world. But, India is facing hostility from the BRICS member state–China.
For sure divided BRICS, mainly divided RIC suits many but not all the BRICS member countries and the world. Although sorting differences with the western world may take time for Russia and China, prolonging differences among the BRICS member state – China and India can be catastrophic.
Two years into the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, China and India should take steps to revive bilateral dialogue and set the stage for the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) summit in China later this year. As a host of the BRICS summit, China shouldn't hesitate to take the first step towards the revival of bilateral relations with India. In fact, the Doklam border standoff was solved after two-and-half months, just before the BRICS summit 2017. And Indian Prime Minister attended the BRICS summit in Xiamen in September 2017.
Completing seventy years, the India-China border issue has become one of the most prolonged border disputes of the world. But now, nibbling and open wounds are on the verge of causing cancer on both sides.
For more than 3,000 years, China and India accounted for 50 per cent of the world's economic output. However, then the Industrial Revolution gave North America and Europe 150 golden years. At the beginning of the post covid era, BRICS, especially India-China, was at a historical deflection point, leading to either belle époque or dark age.
यथा चतुर्भिः कनकं परीक्ष्यते निकर्षणछेदनतापताडनैः । तथा चतुर्भिः पुरुषः परीक्ष्यते श्रुतेन शीलेन कुलेन कर्मणा॥
As per the above Sanskrit quote, "Just as the purity of gold is tested by four means, namely, rubbing, cutting, burning and beating. Man or relationship is tested by four means, namely, learning, conduct, pedigree and action." Will India-China act to resolve the dispute or stay oblivious to the changing world–scenario causing further rubbing in the bilateral relationship?
The world, especially western analysts, is busy depicting how many differences BRICS member countries have with each other. The art of propaganda is used to deflect domestic audiences, political opponents and diplomatic compulsions by sensationalizing third world (as per them) countries' differences.
Yet largely devoted to economic issues, the BRICs began to assume a political identity at Yekaterinburg. In their summit statement, the leaders urged for a 'more democratic and just multipolar world order based on the rule of international law, equality, mutual respect, cooperation, coordinated action and collective decision-making of all states'. 2008 summit declaration seems apt and very relevant for today's world.
Read More at https://organiser.org/2022/03/23/71979/world/brics-summit-2022-test-for-the-cohesion-of-members-and-the-world/