New Delhi — Critics of the BRICS grouping are finding themselves on the receiving end of an unexpected irony: US President Donald Trump's increasingly hostile posture toward the international alliance may be doing more to elevate its standing than anything its members have achieved on their own.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded in recent years to include nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Egypt. The bloc now represents a significant share of the world's population and gross domestic product, making it a force that cannot be easily dismissed.
Trump's approach toward BRICS countries has ranged from tariffs and diplomaticPressure to rhetorical confrontations. However, several observers and political analysts argue that rather than fracturing the alliance, these moves have had the opposite effect — pushing member states closer together and reinforcing their determination to reduce reliance on Western financial institutions.
India, one of the founding members of BRICS, has consistently advocated for a multipolar world order where emerging economies have greater representation in global governance structures such as the IMF and the World Bank. New Delhi has also balanced its strategic partnerships with the West while deepening ties within the BRICS framework.
The paradox of Trump's strategy lies in the fact that every attempt to isolate BRICS economically or diplomatically tends to validate the bloc's core narrative: that the existing global order needs reform and that countries should explore alternative channels for trade, investment, and political cooperation.
Economists note that BRICS has made concrete progress in areas such as the New Development Bank, expanded use of local currencies in bilateral trade, and coordination on climate and development issues. These developments gained additional momentum precisely because member states feel pressured by external forces.
Political strategists suggest that Trump's combative style could embolden BRICS nations to accelerate their integration efforts, potentially including discussions on a shared payment system or other mechanisms to circumvent dollar-dominated finance — exactly the kind of outcome Washington seeks to prevent.
The debate highlights a growing tension in global geopolitics, where attempts to contain rival alliances may end up strengthening them rather than weakening them.
