India’s Role in BRICS 2025: Power, Strategy & Influence

Discover how India is shaping BRICS in 2025 through digital leadership, diplomacy, and trade. Why India’s position in BRICS+ matters more than ever.

BRICS — the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has been making global headlines again in 2025. With its expansion into BRICS+, talk of a new international currency, and efforts to shift global power structures away from the West, BRICS is no longer just a symbolic alliance — it’s becoming a powerful global bloc.

But what does all this mean for India? Why is India’s position in BRICS so crucial right now? And how does this affect India’s economy, diplomacy, and role on the world stage?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is BRICS and Why Was It Formed?

BRICS was first formed in 2009, as a response to the Western-dominated global financial system (mainly controlled by the G7, IMF, and World Bank). These five countries came together with a shared vision:

To promote multipolarity (not just US/Europe-led world order)
To cooperate on trade, finance, development, and innovation
To raise the voice of the Global South (developing countries)

Together, BRICS represents:

Over 40% of the world’s population
About 30% of global GDP (PPP-adjusted)
Enormous natural resources and emerging markets

2025 Update: BRICS is Expanding

In recent years, BRICS has taken a big leap by expanding its membership:

New countries like Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ethiopia, and Argentina joined the platform.
The group is now being referred to as BRICS+.

This expansion gives BRICS a much broader reach across Africa, the Middle East, and South America — and strengthens its push for a multipolar world.

India’s Historic Role in BRICS

India has been a founding member of BRICS since 2009. But unlike some other members, India has a balanced global approach. While it cooperates with Russia and China in BRICS, it also has strong relations with Western nations (like the US, Japan, and Australia through the Quad group).

India has contributed to BRICS in several key areas:

1. Digital Public Infrastructure

India is leading the way in digital innovation through:

UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
Aadhaar digital identity
DigiLocker and other open digital services

India has shared its digital model with other developing countries, making it a role model for digital transformation in BRICS.

2. Affordable Healthcare & Pharma

India has been called the “pharmacy of the world”, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through BRICS, India has helped supply affordable vaccines and medicines to other member nations.

3. Sustainable Development

India has taken leadership on issues like climate change, renewable energy, and infrastructure financing via the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB).

What’s New in BRICS 2025?

2025 is a turning point for BRICS. Here’s what’s happening this year:

1. BRICS Expansion (BRICS+)

The entry of new members like Iran, Egypt, and UAE has turned BRICS into a more diverse and geopolitically important bloc.
India welcomed this cautiously, focusing on shared goals while keeping its national interests protected.

2. De-Dollarisation & Local Currency Trade

BRICS nations are now promoting trade in local currencies instead of US dollars.
There’s talk of a “BRICS currency”, but India has expressed concerns about rushing this idea.

3. Strengthening the BRICS Bank (NDB)

The New Development Bank (set up in 2014) is increasing funding for sustainable projects in BRICS+ countries.
India has used this channel to fund infrastructure, green energy, and smart cities.

Why India’s Role in BRICS Matters Now

India is in a unique position among BRICS nations:

Feature	India’s Position
Democracy	Largest in the world
Tech & Startups	Global leader in fintech, edtech, healthtech
Population	Largest globally (overtook China in 2023)
Global Trust	Good ties with both East (Russia) and West (USA, Japan)
Digital Leadership	UPI model admired worldwide
Pharmaceuticals	Largest generic medicine exporter

India can act as a bridge between developing countries and advanced economies — pushing for fairer global rules.

Challenges India Faces in BRICS

BRICS isn’t a perfect group, and India has its share of concerns:

1. Border Tensions with China

Despite being BRICS members, India and China have serious territorial disputes (like the Galwan Valley clash in 2020). This affects trust between the two countries.

2. BRICS Currency Debate

India is not fully convinced about the idea of creating a single BRICS currency. It prefers bilateral trade in local currencies (like INR-Ruble, INR-Dirham) rather than a centralized currency dominated by China.

3. Competing Alliances

India is part of multiple global groups — BRICS, Quad, G20 — and must carefully balance its partnerships without appearing biased.

Opportunities for India in BRICS+

Despite the challenges, 2025 brings new opportunities for India through BRICS:

1. Showcasing Digital India

India can help other BRICS+ nations build their digital payment and governance infrastructure using UPI and Aadhaar models.

2. Voice for the Global South

India has always supported developing countries. Through BRICS, it can amplify their concerns on:

Climate finance
Debt restructuring
Food and energy security

3. Infrastructure Funding

India can benefit from low-interest loans from the BRICS Bank for large-scale development projects.

4. Trade in Local Currencies

To reduce dependency on the US dollar, India can trade in INR with countries like:

Russia (already happening)
UAE (agreed in 2023)
Egypt and Iran (in talks)

What’s Next? India’s Role in the Future of BRICS

Looking ahead, India could play a key leadership role in shaping BRICS 2.0. Here’s how:

Host the BRICS Summit in 2026: India is expected to host the next major summit.
Push for UN Reforms: India wants BRICS to support its bid for permanent UNSC membership.
Develop BRICS Payment Platforms: Similar to UPI, a BRICS-wide digital payment system could be India-led.
Strengthen People-to-People Ties: Through student exchange, tourism, business delegations, and tech collaboration.

Conclusion

India’s role in BRICS in 2025 is not just symbolic — it’s strategic. As a tech-savvy, democratic, and fast-growing economy, India is shaping the future of global governance through platforms like BRICS.

While navigating complex geopolitics, India continues to build global trust, economic partnerships, and South-South cooperation.

In a world shifting from Western dominance to multipolarity, BRICS gives India a platform to lead with balance, innovation, and purpose.

Quick Recap

Key Role India Plays in BRICS	Why It Matters
Digital infrastructure leader	UPI, Aadhaar shared with Global South
Voice of developing countries	Advocates for fairer global systems
Balancer between China & West	Plays neutral, strategic role
Pharma and health diplomacy	Trusted during Covid and beyond
Trade in local currencies	Promotes INR-based trade partnerships