China, Pakistan, vs. India at BRICS: A Rivalry Reshaping the Alliance?
The BRICS alliance, originally conceived as a bloc of emerging economies, is facing new pressures as geopolitical tensions intensify. The dynamic between China, Pakistan, and India is playing a significant role in shaping the future of BRICS, raising questions about its unity and direction.
Pakistan recently submitted its own proposal to join BRICS and China is very keen to let India’s ‘troublemaker’ neighbor to join the alliance. This move, championed by China, has introduced a new dimension to the existing rivalries within the BRICS framework. The potential inclusion of Pakistan has been met with concern and unease from India, given the long-standing and complex relationship between the two nations.
In fact, China and Pakistan are deepening their strategic partnership across various sectors, further solidifying their alliance. History repeatedly demonstrates how geopolitical threats can transform bitter rivals into reluctant allies. Consider how Britain and France, despite centuries of warfare, found common ground in the face of shared challenges. This historical precedent highlights the fluid nature of international relations and the potential for unlikely partnerships to emerge based on strategic necessity.
The article analyzes this dynamic through the lens of asymmetric and quasi-alliances. Employing asymmetric alliance in conjunction with quasi-alliance as the analytical framework, the article argues that China’s motives are explained by the India–China rivalry resulting in a quasi-alliance that allows China to exert influence and counter India's growing power.
This strategic maneuvering is causing considerable discomfort for India. China’s close allegiance to Pakistan is making India uncomfortable as the Communist country wants Islamabad to be a part of the alliance. India and Pakistan’s rivalry is the main cause for tension and disagreement within the BRICS context. The potential for this rivalry to escalate and disrupt the alliance's core objectives is a growing concern.
Ultimately, the interplay between China, Pakistan, and India within the BRICS framework represents a complex geopolitical chess game. The decisions made in the coming years will determine the future of the alliance and its ability to navigate the challenges posed by these deep-seated rivalries and competing interests.