India’s Engagement in Multilateral Forums: Sco, Brics, G20 and Quad — Comparisons and Roles

India participates in multiple international groupings to secure strategic autonomy, foster economic growth, and shape global governance norms across diverse geopolitical landscapes.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation functions as a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance focused on regional stability, counter-terrorism, and cross-border connectivity.

Structure and Core Focus

• The grouping originated from the Shanghai Five mechanism established in 1996 and was officially founded as the SCO in June 2001.
• India became a full member at the Astana Summit in 2017 alongside Pakistan.
• The permanent Secretariat operates in Beijing, while the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is based in Tashkent.
• The agenda prioritizes joint counter-terrorism drills, intelligence sharing, and regional energy cooperation.

Indian Strategic Approach

• India utilizes the platform to address regional security threats originating from Central and South Asia.
• It pursues connectivity projects while opposing initiatives that infringe upon national sovereignty, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

BRICS

BRICS operates as an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies designed to promote multilateralism and reform international financial institutions.

Evolution and Expansion

• The grouping began as BRIC in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, admitting South Africa in December 2010.
• An expansion phase added new members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
• The bloc represents over forty percent of the world population and a major share of global gross domestic product.

Indian Strategic Approach

• India champions the interests of the Global South, advocating for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
• The forum provides a diplomatic channel to engage with Eurasian powers while balancing multipolar interests.

Group of Twenty

The Group of Twenty serves as the premier global forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together major advanced and emerging economies.

Institutional Framework

• Established in 1999 as a meeting of finance ministers and central governors, it was elevated to a leader-level summit in 2008 during the global financial crisis.
• The organization operates without a permanent secretariat, utilizing a rotating Troika system.
• Membership includes nineteen individual countries, the European Union, and the African Union.

Indian Strategic Approach

• India held the presidency in 2023, securing the permanent inclusion of the African Union.
• Key achievements during the Indian presidency included advancing Digital Public Infrastructure, launching the Global Biofuels Alliance, and promoting inclusive green development.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

The Quad functions as a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States aimed at maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Core Pillars of Cooperation

• The framework focuses on maritime domain awareness, critical and emerging technologies, secure supply chains, and climate resilience.
• Initiatives include the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness and cooperative vaccine distribution programs.

Indian Strategic Approach

• The grouping allows India to enhance maritime security partnerships and secure advanced technological collaboration without entering a formal military alliance.
• India emphasizes that the coalition remains focused on developmental and cooperative regional security rather than acting as a military containment bloc.

Comparative Overview of Multilateral Groupings

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation includes ten full member states following the inclusion of Belarus.
• The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO actively coordinates counter-terrorism intelligence among member states.
• India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship for the fourth time, setting a policy agenda centered on resilience, innovation, and sustainability.
• The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration achieved unanimous consensus on complex geopolitical language during India’s G20 presidency.
• The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative utilizes satellite tracking to monitor illegal fishing and maritime movements.