Introduction
The geopolitical alignment of the BRICS+ nations—China, Russia, and India, is changing the global economic landscape in the more multipolar world of 2025. A common determination to challenge Western domination, especially in the area of economic sanctions, is at the heart of this change. The triad’s changing connection attempts to change the global financial architecture in addition to mitigating the effects of sanctions mainly imposed by the US and the EU. The BRICS+ group has become a powerful voice for the Global South, opposing the historical injustices that have been supported by economic systems dominated by the West.
The Convergence of Strategic Interests
The three biggest economies in the BRICS—China, Russia, and India—have come together to oppose economic pressure from the West. Pragmatic economic cooperation has been a potent force behind this alignment in spite of past conflicts and geopolitical divides.
- India’s Pragmatic Diplomacy: New Delhi has maintained strong ties with both Beijing and Moscow thanks to its neutral position in international disputes. India’s strategic independence and emphasis on energy security are demonstrated by its sustained imports of oil from Russia in spite of criticism from the West. By establishing an example of a practical and autonomous foreign policy, India’s active engagement with Russia also strengthens the Global South’s ability to oppose Western hegemony.
- Russia’s Pivot to the East: Moscow has strengthened its connections with China and India after being isolated by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. Energy exports to these Asian powerhouses have become a bigger part of the Russian economy, and cooperative initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) further solidify economic reliance. In support of multipolarity and economic justice, Russia’s alliances with China and India serve as an example of its rejection of unilateral Western sanctions.
- China’s Anti-Sanction Strategy: The second-biggest economy in the world, China, has continuously argued against unilateral sanctions in favor of diplomatic solutions. By connecting economies in Asia, Europe, and Africa, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) gives Russia access to new markets and transportation channels. China opposes Western economic containment efforts by promoting financial inclusion and infrastructural development throughout the Global South through programs like the Asian infrastructural Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB).
Dismantling the Sanctions Regime
China, Russia, and India have taken a number of coordinated steps to overcome Western sanctions:
- Bilateral and Multilateral Trade Agreements:The US dollar’s hegemony is being challenged by Russia and India, who are increasingly settling trade in their own currencies. In a similar vein, China’s development of cross-border payment systems and the Digital Yuan threatens the dominance of the SWIFT network. These agreements strengthen BRICS’ commitment to national economic governance and represent a united front against financial exclusion.
- The Rise of New Financial Infrastructure: The New Development Bank (NDB) has been promoted by BRICS nations as an alternative to organizations run by the West. Furthermore, the development of substitute payment methods, like China’s CIPS and Russia’s SPFS, permits trade to continue even in the face of Western banking prohibitions. By shielding emerging markets from capricious Western financial interventions, these systems show a deliberate drive towards de-dollarization and economic autonomy.
- Energy and Resource Collaboration: India’s continued import of Russian oil and China’s long-term gas deals with Moscow signify a strategic insulation from global energy disruptions. These arrangements reduce the impact of Western boycotts and sustain domestic economic stability. Such collaborations underline BRICS’ emphasis on self-sufficiency and mutual support among Global South nations.
Geopolitical Implications
Global power dynamics are changing as a result of the emergence of an economic axis within BRICS that is based on a common resistance to Western sanctions. In addition to preserving economic autonomy, this alliance inspires the Global South to oppose Western financial hegemony.
- De-dollarisation of Trade: The dominance of the US dollar is undermined by the development of national currencies and substitute payment methods. The West’s power to impose economic isolation unilaterally is weakened as more countries adopt this paradigm. This change strengthens developing nations’ financial independence and gives them the ability to fend off economic hegemony.
- Strategic Partnerships Beyond BRICS: The cooperation between China, Russia, and India has inspired other BRICS nations, such as Brazil and South Africa, to investigate comparable economic alignments, causing a domino effect that puts Western-led economic systems to the test. In an effort to promote a more equitable and well-rounded global order, the Global South increasingly sees BRICS as a strong forum for expressing shared economic goals.
Challenges and Limitations
Even though this axis offers a strong counterbalance, there are still inherent difficulties:
- Geopolitical Rivalries: India continues to have security concerns about China despite economic cooperation, especially along their disputed boundaries.
- Economic Disparities:It is difficult to strike a balance between the interests of many economies without sacrificing national priorities.
- Western Countermeasures: The alternative systems of BRICS may be put to the test if the West tightens its trade and financial regulations against these partnerships.
Conclusion
An important turning point in the history of global economic governance has been reached with the formation of the strategic BRICS axis between China, Russia, and India. In addition to heralding the arrival of a multipolar economic order, their joint efforts to lift Western sanctions provide a model for other countries aiming for economic resilience and sovereignty. The long-term viability of this alliance will depend on its ability to remain cohesive in the face of both internal and foreign forces. In a time of economic marginalization and the continuation of neocolonial banking practices, BRICS’ pro-Global South position is becoming more and more important.
