“BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings. (UPSC 2026)

BRICS presents itself as an alternative pole in global governance by combining scale, finance and political voice. Its expanded membership and partner network have made it a broader platform for the Global South, especially on trade, energy, climate and technology.

• Demographic and economic weight: It now covers over 45% of global GDP, nearly half the world’s population and about 26% of trade, giving it bargaining power against G7-led institutions.
• Financial alternatives: The New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement offer development finance and crisis support outside IMF-World Bank conditionalities.
• De-dollarisation: Local-currency trade and payment alternatives aim to reduce dependence on the dollar and SWIFT, especially under sanctions.
• Norm-setting: BRICS promotes reforms in IMF, WTO and UN Security Council, while pushing positions on AI, data sovereignty and climate justice.

Thus, BRICS acts as a counterweight not by replacing existing institutions, but by pressing for a more multipolar, equitable and representative global order.