BRICS and mortar

In the last couple of years,the BRICS summit has not quite moved forward from a mere photo opportunity. Clearly,there are many differences within the grouping and countries do not necessarily have common positions on key issues such as climate change. India wants access to funds and technology before it makes binding commitments on emission reduction. China doesnt really care for money or technology and Brazil has,commendably so,managed its emission-reduction programme well. The differences are out there in the open,although initially it seemed the BRICS have a common position. Similarly,Brazil has problems with China being an importer of raw materials and inputs rather than of manufacturing products. Ditto for India,which suffers a huge trade deficit with China. Delhi,in fact,has been trying hard to engage with the Chinese to address this,but there is very slow progress. China doesnt give in easily to demands for higher market access in areas such as pharmaceuticals or information technology where India has comparative strengths.

Indeed BRICS can play a larger role in setting the agenda at multilateral forums,but India must not lose sight of its national interests in pursuing economic and strategic issues. It is important to recognise China has its own agenda,be it currency or exchange rate management or reform of multilateral institutions. India should play its card well by not giving everything to the Chinese on a platter even as it supports Chinas call for a bigger voice in the new global order. The BRICS Development Bank concept floated by China may be a good idea,but given that the development cooperation architecture is a melting pot,it will serve India better to be wary the Chinese do not follow the same exploitative model as the OECD countries did in the Bretton Woods institutions. But,more than anything else,India has to first grow stronger and set its house in order before it can set the BRICS tone for multilateral reforms in a democratic fashion.

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