BRICS Summit

 The idea of BRICS originated from a paper published by Gold man Sach's Jim O Neil in 2001titled "Building Better Global Economic BRICS".BRIC grouping was formalised in 2006, and two years later South Africa was admitted.It has emerged as a alternative grouping of five emerging economies namely Brazil, Russia, India,China and South Africa that challenge the post war world order.In 2003 Gold man Sach's predicted that global map would significantly change due to these emerging economies combined strength would outstrip the western dominated world order before 2039. Governments of BRICS countries have met annually to discuss regional and multilateral issues at formal summits and India recently hosted the 13th summit.

       Intra BRICS cooperation for continuity consolidation and consensus have been highlighted as the basic principle of partnership in the 13th summit.Apart from adopting BRICS counter terrorism action plan more productive plan is designed for the next 15 year period.It has also taken collective position in strengthening and reforming multilateral system.Over the past 15 years these five nations have enhanced strategic communication and political trust in spirit of openness, inclusiveness and equality, respected each other's social system developed and explored sound way to interact each other.Substantial progress has been made in various areas of cooperation.BRICS supported multilateralism and taken part in global governance in the spirit of equity justice and mutual assistance.However Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed apprehension about impact of recent developments in Afghanistan and how it will affect regional and global security.Afghanistan should not become a threat to its neighbouring countries and and a source of terrorism and drug trafficking.South African President Cyril Ramphosa observed that BRICS must ensure equal access to Covid19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.This is the only way in which we can respond to pandemic that engulfed the world.We must continue to safeguard our people's lives, livelihood, support global economic recovery and increase resilience of public system.He further emphasised need for support to the India South Africa proposal made in the WTO for waiver of TRIPS mechanism to ensure rapid expansion of covid19 vaccines production around the world.

   The role of BRICS in jointly tackling the problems of Afghanistan is rather uncertain.BRICS is striving for a rule based multilateral system where global governance is more inclusive, representative and participatory with greater meaningful participation of developing and less developed countries.It should make multilateral organisations more responsive, action oriented and solution oriented based on the norms and principles of international law and the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality and mutual beneficial cooperation.Obviously it should promote people centered global cooperations at the centre.It may be noted here that China had already raised its criticism against Quad grouping where India, Australia, Japan and USA are very proactive which Beijing disapprovingly termed as"selective multilateralism"and block politics.

     BRICS ministerial decision was to support negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the waiver of TRIPS ( Trade related intellectual property rights) regulations for Covid19 vaccines and medicines to tackle the pandemic.BRICS vaccination centre has been proposed to start from Johannesburg ,given the fact that at least 3 members- Russia, India and China have manufactured a major chunk of all globally authorised vaccines.If TRIPS waiver is achieved, through compulsory or voluntary licensing large quantities of Covid vaccines and medicines can be manufactured and made available cheaply to the poor and less developed countries.In any case a sincere, concerted and calibrated approach will make BRICS major player not only in multilateral negotiations but also in global economy.