Online published on 19 July, 2016.
The BRICS group of countries is garnering clout in the global system and may soon surpass the G-7 association in economic terms. India is assuming the chairmanship this year and will host the 2016 summit. This paper portrays the strengths and resources of BRICS member states and details the agenda laid out for the year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “building responsive, inclusive and collective solutions”. It notes that BRICS has evolved into a political alliance as well as a focussed cooperative, which has been reshaping the global order through various new international institutions such as the New Development Bank. Related bodies are also being set up in the areas of agriculture, culture, education, clean energy generation, healthcare, information technology, infrastructure, scientific research and tourism. However, major challenges remain in raising the required funding and mustering effective coordination between BRICS states for achieving shared benefits.
