The BRICS group of emerging economies is set to leave the West behind, an Indian academic says.
BRICS is actively advancing an evolutionary path towards establishing a "new world order characterised by inclusivity and a commitment to non-confrontation," Promad Rai, who attended the BRICS International Futurological Forum, told Sputnik India.
Rai is part of the ongoing discourse about the organisations' leading role in the radical shift away from the current Western-dominated international order, as a Research Fellow at Mumbai University's Centre for Central Eurasian Studies.
He believes that while the group of states is increasingly seen as a reliable organisation with growing global South membership aspirations, the group is yet to forge its own path distinct from "typical Western models and mechanisms." As other primary objectives, Rai underscored the importance of not just expanding membership, but also "demonstrating pragmatism and achieving tangible outcomes."
He noted that BRICS' extensive joint declarations since 2009 reveal a vision that prioritises inclusivity and avoids confrontation, highlighting why the organisation should be globally significant.
Russia is a pivotal and influential player in the region due to its substantial geo-economic and geopolitical interests, he argued. Meanwhile, Rai believes that with China actively pursuing its economic initiatives, India needs to accelerate its engagement in the continent.
Despite the ongoing influence of the West, the collective actions of the three countries "will profoundly impact Eurasia's trajectory and shape the post-West international order," developing a "coherent vision for the evolving global" agenda, Rai emphasised.
Additionally, he drew attention to the relations between India, Iran and Central Asia, warning that the lack of efficient trading routes has been a significant barrier for the countries.
Citing the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), he pointed out that this initiative aims to enhance trade links among significant centres like Mumbai, Moscow, Bandar Abbas, Tehran, and Astrakhan; however, achieving the anticipated outcomes and practical benefits from INSTC "remains a challenge."
The analyst proposed that while Russia-India relations are labelled as a "special and privileged strategic partnership," the notable gap lies in the lack of robust economic interactions between these trusted allies, therefore he stressed to "expedite and enhance the implementation of INSTC's vision and mission to realise its full potential."
Spanning approximately 5,600 nautical miles (10,300 km), this sea route "holds promise to bridge the commercial gap between Russia and India, particularly in light of India's predominant energy imports from the Gulf via sea routes," he noted.
BRICS International Futurological Forum opened on 10 July and drew over 500 participants from 20 nations to the Russian State University for the Humanities.
The conference highlighted the transformative global landscape and the crucial need for mutual respect among diverse nations and communities.