Context
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- The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
- The article, by China’s Ambassador to India, presents five priorities for strengthening BRICS cooperation through the acronym “POWER”.
- It argues that the rise of multipolarity, economic globalisation and the Global South creates an opportunity for BRICS to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
- At the same time, geopolitical conflicts, protectionism and disruptions in global supply chains pose major challenges.
P – Principle: Upholding International Principles
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- BRICS should uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
- Important principles include:
- Sovereign equality
- Non-interference in internal affairs
- Peaceful settlement of disputes
- Respect for international law
- BRICS should prevent the international system from moving towards a “law of the jungle”, where stronger powers dominate weaker states.
Key Insight
Multipolarity should lead to greater equality and cooperation, not merely the replacement of one form of hegemony with another.
O – Openness: Resisting Protectionism
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- The global economy faces sluggish recovery and increasing protectionist tendencies.
- Tariff barriers, decoupling and disrupted supply chains threaten economic globalisation.
- BRICS should support an open multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core.
- Cooperation should focus on:
- Energy and minerals
- Infrastructure
- Industrial supply chains
- Trade facilitation
Open globalisation → resilient supply chains → common development
W – Win-Win: Development at the Centre
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- BRICS should promote openness, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation.
- Development should remain central to the BRICS agenda.
- Priorities include:
- Accelerating UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Strengthening dialogue
- Building consensus on the post-2030 global development agenda
- Ensuring greater participation of Global South countries in global cooperation.
Significance
BRICS can provide a platform through which developing countries seek a greater voice in global governance.
E – Engine: Economic & Financial Cooperation
BRICS countries represent a substantial share of:
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- Global population
- Global economic output
- International trade
- Natural resources
- Manufacturing capacity
- Consumer markets
Areas of Cooperation
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- Macroeconomic policy coordination
- Trade and investment facilitation
- Local-currency cooperation
- Cross-border payment systems
- Financial safety networks
- Energy security
- Food security
- Agriculture
Digital & Technological Cooperation
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- Digital economy
- Smart manufacturing
- New industrialisation
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Science and technology
- Health
- Agriculture
- Education
R – Responsibility: Global Peace & Development
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- BRICS should assume greater responsibility for global peace, fairness and justice.
- It can contribute towards:
- Unity among developing countries
- Global economic cooperation
- Sustainable development
- Addressing common global challenges
The article also emphasises the importance of India–China cooperation for the functioning of a stronger BRICS.
India–China Dimension
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- The article highlights improvement in China–India relations since the beginning of 2026.
- It points to:
- Greater dialogue
- Resumption of direct flights
- Reopening of border trade
- Increased exchanges and cooperation
- China expresses support for translating bilateral understandings into concrete actions.
Strategic Significance
India must balance:
Cooperation with China + Strategic autonomy + National interests
while using BRICS as a platform for advancing Global South priorities.
Way Forward
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- Strengthen BRICS as a platform for Global South cooperation.
- Promote reform of global institutions towards greater representation and inclusiveness.
- Defend multilateralism and rules-based trade.
- Expand local-currency and cross-border payment cooperation.
- Deepen collaboration in AI, digital economy, energy, food security and technology.
- Ensure BRICS remains focused on development rather than geopolitical confrontation.
- Use India–China dialogue to maintain a stable environment for broader BRICS cooperation.
Conclusion
BRICS has the potential to become an important pillar of a more multipolar and inclusive international order. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on converting broad principles into concrete economic, technological and developmental cooperation.
“BRICS POWER should translate collective strength into greater voice, resilience and opportunities for the Global South.”
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