The Brics bloc is expanding to include six new members: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move is a sign of the growing economic and political power of the Global South, and it raises important questions about the future of multilateralism in a world where geopolitics is increasingly important.

The expansion of Brics is being driven by a number of factors. First, the Global South is becoming more economically integrated. Trade between developing countries is growing rapidly, and there is a growing demand for multilateral forums where these countries can cooperate on issues such as trade, investment, and infrastructure.

Second, the Global South is becoming more politically assertive. Countries like China, India, and Brazil are playing a more active role in international affairs, and they are increasingly willing to challenge the traditional dominance of the West.

Third, the geopolitical landscape is changing. The rise of China and the decline of the United States are creating a new balance of power in the world, and the Global South is looking for ways to navigate this new reality.

The expansion of Brics is a positive development for the Global South. It gives these countries a greater voice in the international system, and it allows them to pool their resources to address common challenges. However, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed.

One challenge is the diversity of the Brics membership. The bloc now includes countries with very different political systems, economic interests, and security concerns. This could make it difficult to reach consensus on key issues.

Another challenge is the geopolitical tensions that exist between some of the Brics members. For example, Iran and Saudi Arabia are rivals in the Middle East, and China and the United States are competing for influence in the Indo-Pacific. These tensions could complicate cooperation within the Brics bloc.

Despite these challenges, the expansion of Brics is a significant development. It is a sign of the growing power and influence of the Global South, and it could play an important role in shaping the future of the world order.

 

Source: www.scmp.com