BRICS Expansion: Views of China and India

Abstract

The BRIC association created in 2009, turned into BRICS in 2011, including South Africa. South African accession to the group significantly increased its hit towards the Great South, in particular increased its interest in Africa. In August 2023, the XV BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The main topics were the expansion of the bloc, the growth of China’s influence and the decision to hold a new summit in Kazan (Russia) in 2024. The BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in August 2023 approved entering the block 5 countries, including two ones from Africa: Egypt and Ethiopia. The BRICS have struck a low by welcoming new members, especially Africans, which shows the importance of the continent in building a multipolar model. Since the expansion process has not been completed, it is important to understand how the leading States of the group, which stood at the origins of its formation: China and India, relate to it. Both countries are among the leading participants in peacekeeping operations (OPM) of the UN on the continent. At the same time, the increasing competition of the Asian giants affects their attitude towards the expansion of the BRICS and the creation of their own currency by the association.