As the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grows in influence, its ambitions to challenge the Western-dominated world order have become more apparent. Some members, particularly China and Russia, view BRICS as a platform to undermine the global position of the United States—both economically and politically. Yet, despite these efforts, the internal tensions and conflicting interests within the group, especially between China and India, could spell the failure of BRICS. For those who believe in the value of the U.S.-led global system, this failure would be a welcome outcome. Moreover, a closer relationship between India and the U.S. could serve as a crucial factor in weakening BRICS’ ability to achieve its goals, preserving America’s soft power and global influence.
BRICS’ Goal to Undermine the U.S.
BRICS was formed with the intention of reshaping global governance and reducing the dominance of Western institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. For countries like China and Russia, this agenda is about more than economic reform—it’s about challenging U.S. leadership on the global stage. China, in particular, envisions BRICS as a means to promote its own geopolitical influence and counterbalance American power, especially in the Global South.
A key component of BRICS’ strategy is to reduce the world’s reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade. This so-called “dedollarization” effort, if successful, could weaken the U.S. economy’s central role in global markets. By creating alternative financial systems and payment structures, BRICS hopes to insulate itself and other nations from U.S. sanctions and financial pressure. However, despite the rhetoric, real progress on this front has been slow, and internal divisions—especially between China and India—could undermine these efforts.
The India-China Rivalry: A Major Obstacle to BRICS’ Success
India and China, the two largest economies in BRICS, are often seen as the linchpins of the group. But their relationship is fraught with tensions, making true cooperation difficult. The two nations have been at odds for years over territorial disputes, most notably the deadly 2020 border clash in the Himalayas. These conflicts have strained diplomatic ties and significantly curbed economic cooperation between the two countries. India, wary of China’s growing influence in the region, has increasingly turned to the United States as a strategic partner.
This geopolitical rivalry presents a significant roadblock for BRICS. Without close collaboration between China and India, the bloc cannot achieve its goal of presenting a unified front against the West. India has no interest in seeing BRICS become a vehicle for China’s geopolitical ambitions, particularly if it means distancing itself from the West. While China seeks to use BRICS as a tool to weaken American influence, India’s non-aligned stance and its growing ties with the U.S. suggest that it may not be fully on board with these goals.
The Role of U.S.-India Relations in Weakening BRICS
As India’s relationship with the U.S. deepens, it could serve as a critical factor in undermining BRICS from within. Over the past several years, India has become a key partner for the U.S. in its strategy to counterbalance China in the Indo-Pacific. Through security arrangements like the Quad (which includes the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia), India has aligned itself with Western powers in ways that complicate its role in BRICS.
A stronger U.S.-India partnership could further weaken the cohesion of BRICS. If India continues to prioritize its strategic relationship with the U.S. over its role in BRICS, the group’s ability to challenge the U.S. economically and politically will be significantly diminished. By reinforcing its ties with India, the U.S. can ensure that BRICS does not become an effective anti-Western bloc. India’s reluctance to fully commit to BRICS’ agenda is already evident, particularly in its resistance to China’s push for rapid expansion of the group.
How a Divided BRICS Could Play Into U.S. Hands
The internal divisions within BRICS, particularly the India-China rivalry, could play directly into the hands of the U.S. As long as China and India remain at odds, BRICS will struggle to function as a unified bloc. This presents an opportunity for the U.S. to further strengthen its ties with India and other BRICS members, potentially drawing them away from China’s sphere of influence.
In this context, the U.S. can continue to position itself as a more attractive partner for countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa, which have their own reservations about China’s dominance within BRICS. By offering deeper trade relations, security partnerships, and technological cooperation, the U.S. can ensure that BRICS remains fragmented and ineffective.
While BRICS was initially seen as a rising force that could challenge the Western-dominated global order, its internal tensions and conflicting visions may prevent it from realizing that potential. The rivalry between China and India, in particular, threatens to derail the group’s ambitions. For those who support the U.S.-led international system, this could be a good thing. A fragmented and ineffective BRICS would not be able to undermine America’s economic and political influence. Instead, it would highlight the enduring power of U.S. soft power and the value of strong, cooperative relationships with countries like India.
FAM Editor: These insights might form the beginning of a strategy against China’s global ambitions and goals to weaken the U.S. The Biden Administration has not done a lot to strengthen U.S. ties to India, both staunch democracies. We could indeed drive a wedge between India and BRICS.