“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

Theme

T121 Regional & multilateral groupings: SCO, BRICS, NDB/AIIB, BIMSTEC, SAARC

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks SCO's aims and conflicts, BRICS as voice of the Global South, NDB vs AIIB, BIMSTEC vs SAARC, and SAARC's future given terror.

What to cover

• SCO: RATS, India's interests, China–Pakistan factor
• BRICS: expansion, NDB, de-dollarisation debate
• AIIB vs NDB: membership, purpose
• BIMSTEC vs SAARC: similarities, differences, India's objectives
• SAARC paralysis

Writing the answer

• Mandate → India's interest → challenges → way forward

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.