Ahead of Kazan summit, top experts to discuss BRICS 2.0 expansion: New Members, New Horizons

Ahead of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Centre for Global India Insights and India Writes Network will host an online conference titled “BRICS 2.0: New Members, New Horizons” on October 18. The conference will focus on ramifications of the planned expansion of the BRICS grouping as the grouping of emerging economies prepares to induct additional new members as partner countries during the upcoming summit in Russia.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov will deliver the keynote speech, setting the tone for discussions on the implications of BRICS expansion for the global order. He will underscore Russia’s strategic vision for the group. He has been a key figure in strengthening India-Russia relations and will discuss how an expanded BRICS could create new avenues for cooperation, particularly in trade, defense, and energy sectors.

The online conference will be moderated by Manish Chand, CEO, Centre for Global India Insights, a think tank focused on global affairs, and Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network and India and the World.

The online conference brings together a diverse panel of speakers who are well-versed in the geopolitical and economic implications of BRICS’ growth. Ambassador Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India and former BRICS Sherpa has been a key player in articulating South Africa’s vision for BRICS, emphasizing the importance of the group’s collective strength in advancing the interests of the Global South. Sooklal’s input will be crucial in understanding how new member states could align with BRICS’ broader developmental agenda.

Adding further depth to the conversation, Dr. Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary of India, will draw on his vast experience to assess how BRICS expansion might impact global diplomatic alignments, especially in the context of emerging multipolarity.

Dr. Victoria Panova, a leading voice on BRICS and international cooperation, will share insights from her experience as the Scientific Supervisor of the BRICS Expert Council.

Sanjay Bhattacharyya, a former BRICS Sherpa for India, will bring his considerable expertise and first-hand experience to the discussion. Bhattacharyya, who played a pivotal role during India’s BRICS presidency, is expected to shed light on how India views the future of the grouping.

The announcement from the last summit in Johannesburg to admit six new members, including major economies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has already begun to shift global perceptions of the bloc. Analysts have pointed out that this move will enhance BRICS’ economic clout, potentially accounting for over 45% of the global population and significant portions of oil production, thus impacting global energy markets.

The expansion has raised questions about internal coherence and decision-making. With new members joining, BRICS will need to navigate divergent political systems and economic interests.

One of the key motivations behind the push for expansion has been to offer a counterbalance to Western-dominated financial institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank. Through the New Development Bank (NDB), BRICS nations have sought to finance projects on their terms, emphasizing sustainability and equitable growth. However, with the inclusion of new economies, the NDB will need to scale up its operations, which could be a topic of discussion during the Kazan Summit.

The “BRICS 2.0: New Members, New Horizons” conference is expected to offer a comprehensive preview of these issues, setting the stage for the forthcoming summit in Russia. With leaders from various domains coming together, the event will not only address the practicalities of BRICS expansion but also reflect on its broader implications for the international system, where power is increasingly decentralized and shared among emerging economies.

Event: Virtual Conference: BRICS 2.0: New Members, New Horizons.

When: October 18, Friday 4.30 pm-6.15 pm IST; 2 pm-3.45 pm Moscow time, Europe time – 1 pm-2.45 pm

The WEBINAR will be broadcast Live via FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE and Twitter.

YOUTUBE:

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/events/3888101488068164

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.