BRICS Leaders Gather for 2024 Summit in Russia

As the BRICS Summit convenes in Kazan, Russia, the coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa aims to solidify its role as a counterweight to Western influence, especially the U.S. However, internal divisions are evident, with members like Turkey seeking membership while others, such as Argentina, express reluctance. The summit’s theme focuses on multilateralism and development, but the U.S. government asserts that it does not perceive BRICS as a significant threat, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining partnerships with individual member nations. Despite this, there are concerns about the bloc's push for a de-dollarized payment system, particularly from nations like Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rivalry for leadership within BRICS adds to the complexity, as they navigate differing agendas. The BRICS nations represent nearly half of the world's population, highlighting their collective strength in global affairs.