Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are both skipping this year's Brics summit in Brazil, signaling potential cracks within the group. While China cited scheduling issues and is sending Premier Li Qiang in Xi’s place, Putin’s absence is attributed to an ICC arrest warrant hanging over him. Analysts suggest the absences reflect growing dissatisfaction with the bloc's shifting identity.

Ideological Drift After Expansion

Brics, originally a five-nation bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), has recently expanded to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This rapid enlargement, while increasing global reach, has also weakened the ideological coherence that once positioned Brics as a counterbalance to Western capitalism. The entry of more autocratic regimes has raised concerns in democratic member states like Brazil, South Africa, and India.

Brazil Seeks Diplomatic Rebranding

Brazil, this year’s host, aims to steer the summit toward reforming global governance structures. Ambassador Antonio Patriota emphasized the need for multilateralism that reflects today’s multipolar reality. He said U.S. policies under Trump and beyond have pushed the world closer to multipolarity, opening space for new alliances to emerge.

Challenges to a Unified Agenda

Despite calls for unity, internal contradictions persist. India opposes a Brics currency, while Brazil’s climate pledges may clash with the fossil-fuel-driven economies of Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Dr. Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House noted that the group was already unwieldy before its expansion, and that its effectiveness is likely to diminish further.

A Vacuum Unfilled

Observers like Dr. Samir Puri warn that the absence of the U.S. in multilateral leadership has not automatically led to a coherent new world order. Instead, fragmented interests and conflicting agendas may prevent Brics from evolving into a true alternative to existing global institutions.