A DECadE OF BRICS: Indian Perspectives for the Future Editor: Samir Saran © 2017 Observer Research Foundation A Decade of BRICS: Indian Perspectives for the Future ISBN: 978-81-935340-5-2 Designer: Simi Jaison Designs Contents Editor’s note ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Samir Saran BRICS Role in Global Governance Processes ........................................................................................... 9 H.H.S. Viswanathan and Shubh Soni The Case for the New Development Bank Institute .................................................................................. 19 Samir Saran and Aparajit Pandey Rebuilding BRICS through Energy ........................................................................................................... 27 Aparajit Pandey Scripting a New Development Paradigm: India and the BRICS Partnership ....................................... 37 Pulin B. Nayak BRICS & SDGs: Prospects of Minilateral Action on a Multilateral Agenda? ....................................... 45 Vikrom Mathur Common Health Challenges and Prospects for Cooperation in BRICS ................................................. 56 T.C. James BRICS Vision for Smart Cities ................................................................................................................... 72 Rumi Aijaz Gendering the BRICS Agenda .................................................................................................................... 79 Urvashi Aneja and Vidisha Mishra The BRICS Security Agenda:Challenges Galore ...................................................................................... 85 Harsh V. Pant China’s Cyber Sovereignty Vision: Can BRICS Concur? ...................................................................... 93 Madhulika Srikumar Endnotes / References .................................................................................................................................. 98 iii Editor’s notE SAMIR SARAN VICE PRE S IDENT , ORF he formation of BRICS was an unprecedented grouping. Russia, rising from the ashes of the Soviet and unlikely event in history. Originally Union, viewed the possible alliance as a mechanism Tconceived as a handy acronym describing the to bring change to the global governance architecture emerging economies of the world, the economic term dominated by the US and its allies. China deemed the came into being as a political entity in 2006, on the formation of the coalition a key measure in furthering sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The its economic and political ambitions. Brazil saw foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China BRICS as a vehicle through which it could transform met during the conference and agreed to bring their itself from a regional power to a global power. South respective heads of state together for annual summits Africa, moving on from the ignominy associated to discuss shared political and economic interests. The with apartheid, needed the grouping to legitimise its inaugural summit meeting of the grouping, held in standing in the world as the tallest leader in Africa. Yekaterinburg on June 16, 2009 was characterised by India saw BRICS as a ladder that would allow it to productive dialogue and a strengthening of relations. make the jump from the geo-economic assembly line Subsequent meetings inspired a note-worthy addition to the high table of global management. to the coalition in 2011, as South Africa was invited to join, bringing the BRICS grouping to its full Despite the divergent rationales behind each standing. member’s motivation for joining the alliance, there remained some commonalities. The embedded power Observers of the geo-political world order have long structures within the Western hemisphere were a key espoused the refrain that BRICS is characterised by driver of aggregation for BRICS. Each member of the three I’s – Ideology, Issues, and Institutions. Yet, the coalition believed that the existing global governance group’s inception did not necessarily come about as institutions did not allow them the influence due to result of common ideology – each nation had varying them. Yet, none of the countries were capable of asking motivations dictating their decision to enter into the for significant change by themselves. They came to 5 A Decade of BRICS: Indian Perspectives for the Future the realisation they needed an entente that would force political tensions and mutually beneficial prospects, a a more inclusive governance architecture. These were greater focus must be placed on cooperating on key the foundational drivers that led to the creation of this issues important to each nation and the continued group. Moreover, even as these five countries came institutionalisation of the grouping. The creation of together, there were two ideals around which BRICS affiliated organisations and bodies such as the New would organise their cooperation. First, each nation’s Development Bank and a convergence on matters sovereignty would be paramount within the power significant to all five member nations will allow structures of the world. Second, each state would members to pursue sovereign interests while still seek greater democracy in the international decision- permitting for the continued existence of the BRICS making process, regardless of domestic regimes. vehicle. This volume, featuring commentary from pre-eminent scholars and emerging next generation researchers, attempts to put forward measures that can TO SURVIVE, BRICS MUST separate and insulate the group from the vagaries of international discord. SHIFT FOCUS TOWARDS The first chapter of the volume provides an INSTITUTIONS AND ISSUES. overarching framework by examining the history of global governance structures which have long been dominated by developed nations from powerful As we approach the first decade of BRICS, the geographies. In BRICS Role in Global Governance ideological incoherence among its members is Processes, H.H.S. Viswanathan and Shubh Soni apparent, as each nation continues to pursue its own discuss the events that have led to the current state agenda. Russia has capitalised on the malaise that of affairs and the opportunities and challenges that plagued Europe and the United States after the 2009 can be derived from it. Viswanathan and Soni propose financial crisis, positioning itself as the most important key areas that the BRICS grouping can focus on to political player in the Middle East and perhaps even better position themselves in the global framework, in Europe. Brazil and South Africa have succumbed including a reformation of global taxation norms and once again to internal strife, as economic woes and an expansion of the mandate of the New Development systemic corruption force them to turn their focus Bank. inward. The divergent ideologies of the member states are perhaps most evident in the current border standoff In the next chapter of the volume, Samir Saran between India and China as the latter’s ambitions and Aparajit Pandey attempt to address the gap in to dominate Asia becomes apparent. The proposed institutional cooperation among alliance members China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides by putting forth the argument for the creation of further indications of China’s bid to ride roughshod a BRICS-centric research institution tied to the over India’s sovereign concerns. New Development Bank. The Case for the New Development Bank Institute illustrates how the new Given the contemporary reality, it seems that BRICS research organisation could provide institutional nations will be unable to agree on a common political support for the New Development Bank. Saran and ideology. Therefore, in order for the alliance to survive, Pandey go on to propose avenues through which the the focus must be shifted to the remaining two I’s – institute could help BRICS develop intellectual heft Institutions and Issues. To manage the paradox of geo- in an increasingly data-driven world by focusing on 6 Editor’s Note forward-thinking research streams such as the creation health challenges under the two global development of a BRICS-centric digital free trade zone and the frameworks – the Millennium Development Goals formation of a BRICS Energy alliance. (MDG) and its successor, the Sustainable Development Goals. James summarises each country’s unique The theme of a BRICS Energy alliance is further healthcare model before demonstrating the immense elaborated upon in Rebuilding BRICS through Energy. scope for collaboration amongst BRICS countries in In this chapter, Aparajit Pandey maps the energy healthcare-related fields such as pharmaceuticals and profiles of each member nation and puts forth key research. areas where coordination can be mutually beneficial for all five member states, including the establishment Rising urbanisation trends and climate change effects of alternative oil benchmarks and the formation of a have coalesced into developmental pressure points for BRICS Energy Policy Institute. cities within BRICS. Rumi Aijaz attempts to address these issues by proposing policymaking measures While issues pertaining to international cooperation, aimed at creating smart cities across member nations open markets, and trade often dominate BRICS in BRICS Vision for Smart Cities. Suggestions include discussions, the development needs of the member the formation of innovation hubs, facilitating citizen nations must