Pepe Escobar : BRICS: Did Putin or Xi Prevail?

Summary

The BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October 2024 showcased the growing influence of non-Western powers in global geopolitics. Key discussions included the expansion of BRICS, with 13 new partners, and the exploration of alternative economic systems, such as BRICS Pay and the potential for a new global reserve currency. Diplomatic efforts to address longstanding tensions between India and China, as well as Turkey's strategic balancing act between BRICS and NATO, were central to the summit. With strong leadership from Russia, China, and India, the event underscored BRICS’ vision for a multipolar world order.

Takeaways

• 😀 The BRICS summit in Kazan was described as a 'gigantic laboratory' for international diplomacy, with an emphasis on experimenting with multilateral cooperation in a multipolar world.
• 😀 One of the central diplomatic achievements was China and India officially announcing progress on resolving their border dispute, with President Putin serving as the mediator.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia's participation in BRICS remains ambiguous. While they are not yet full members, their foreign minister attended, and they may decide after the US elections whether to join more fully.
• 😀 The BRICS summit highlighted the growing influence of Muslim-majority countries, with several Muslim nations joining as BRICS partners and the symbolic presence of a mosque in Kazan.
• 😀 The BRICS group now includes several major global players: Iran, Russia, China, India, and Brazil. Saudi Arabia's potential future membership could reshape global economic and political dynamics.
• 😀 The potential for a BRICS-backed alternative global reserve currency is being explored, though experts suggest this goal may take 6-8 years to materialize.
• 😀 BRICS is experimenting with a new payment system, 'BRICS Pay,' which would allow transactions between member states without relying on Western-dominated financial systems, such as SWIFT.
• 😀 Turkey's potential future BRICS membership is being carefully negotiated by President Erdogan, who is leveraging BRICS to balance NATO membership and gain more concessions from the West.
• 😀 The conflict in Ukraine and its wider geopolitical ramifications were discussed during the BRICS summit, with Russian President Putin focusing on diplomatic relations, particularly with China, India, and Iran.
• 😀 The BRICS Outreach session was a key highlight, with leaders from 36 nations, including the UN Secretary-General, speaking in their native languages. The session emphasized global south unity and the quest for a more equitable international order.

Q & A

What was the main theme of the BRICS summit discussed in the transcript?

The main theme of the BRICS summit was the emergence of a multipolar world, where BRICS nations and their partners play a central role in reshaping global politics and economics. The summit highlighted key diplomatic experiments and discussions, particularly around economic cooperation, the role of Islam in international relations, and the potential for a new global reserve currency.

What metaphor did Pepe Escobar use to describe the BRICS summit?

Pepe Escobar initially referred to the BRICS summit as a 'departing station of a high-speed train journey' towards a multipolar and multinodal world. Later, he described it as a 'gigantic laboratory' where different diplomatic and economic experiments are taking place, with long-term consequences for global relations.

How did President Putin contribute to the BRICS summit in terms of diplomacy?

President Putin played a key diplomatic role by mediating between China and India regarding their border issues in Ladakh. His leadership allowed both countries to announce that their border problems would be addressed and solved, marking a significant moment of diplomacy in the BRICS framework.

What is the status of Saudi Arabia's involvement in BRICS?

Saudi Arabia is not yet a full member of BRICS but has been in discussions about joining. They have sent their foreign minister to the summit but have not made a final decision. The Saudi position is expected to be clearer after the U.S. elections, with the country currently balancing its interests between BRICS and the West.

What was the significance of the BRICS Partners announced during the summit?

The announcement of 13 new BRICS Partners was significant because it highlighted the expanding influence of the organization. These new partners included countries from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, underscoring the growing importance of diverse regions, particularly Muslim-majority nations, in shaping global governance.

What was the main symbolic image of the BRICS summit?

The main symbolic image of the summit was the minaret of the mosque attached to the Kazan Kremlin. This was significant for the global Muslim community, as it represented the presence and influence of Islamic nations in the multipolar world order being shaped by BRICS.

What is the concept of 'civilization states' in the context of BRICS?

The concept of 'civilization states' refers to the idea that BRICS includes not just countries but entire civilizations with distinct cultural, religious, and historical identities. Russia, China, India, and Iran are seen as the top 'civilization states' within BRICS, with Islam and Africa also heavily represented in the organization's growing influence.

Will BRICS eventually adopt a uniform currency like the European Union?

While BRICS is working on alternative payment systems like BRICS Pay and BRICS Bridge, a uniform currency is still many years away. The current focus is on creating an alternative reserve currency, which could be based on a basket of BRICS member currencies, but this goal is expected to take at least 6-8 years to achieve.

What is the BRICS Bridge and how could it impact global finance?

BRICS Bridge is an alternative payment system being developed by BRICS nations, which could include blockchain-based payments and gold-backed transactions. It aims to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and traditional Western financial systems. The system could facilitate trade between BRICS countries and their partners, possibly becoming a precursor to a new global reserve currency.

Was there any mention of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine during the BRICS summit?

Yes, the war between Russia and Ukraine was discussed during the BRICS summit, particularly in bilateral meetings. While not a primary focus of the summit's official sessions, the topic was addressed by leaders such as President Putin, who held discussions on the issue with other BRICS members, including China, India, and Iran.