Brics’ Stiffest Test: Can India, China Rally Bloc to Resolve Strait of Hormuz Crisis?

The world teeters on the brink of an energy crisis as tensions between Iran and the West continue to disrupt global supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway connecting Europe and Asia, remains closed. As BRICS countries prepare for their upcoming summit in New Delhi, analysts believe that unified support from these emerging powers could provide a much-needed boost to resolving the crisis.

The stakes are high: BRICS accounts for approximately 40% of global GDP. A unified front between key players India and China could create an alternative diplomatic track to bypass traditional US-led efforts. According to Uday Chandra, a professor of political science at Ashoka University in India, both countries have convergent interests: “They would like the Iran and Ukraine wars contained, energy supplies secured, the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened, and the global economy stabilized.”

However, India and China’s divergent geopolitical positions pose a significant challenge. India maintains vital strategic partnerships with the US, Europe, Israel, the UAE, and Ukraine, while China has its own regional interests. Chandra notes that these differences may make cooperation between the two countries more worthwhile.

Brazil, often seen as a bridge for the Global South within BRICS, could play a crucial role in mediating internal divisions. The upcoming summit from September 12 to 13 offers an unprecedented opportunity for BRICS to present itself as a cohesive force in global affairs.

One possible outcome of this alignment is parallel diplomacy – where BRICS countries engage in separate negotiations with Iran and other regional actors. This approach would allow them to maintain their sovereignty while contributing to a collective solution. However, several challenges must be addressed before such an effort can bear fruit. A unified stance on key issues like sanctions, economic support for affected nations, and security guarantees for vulnerable regions remains elusive.

BRICS has demonstrated its ability to adapt and evolve as a global force in the past few years. The grouping’s 2022 summit in Beijing saw India, China, and Russia converge on several fronts – including energy cooperation, anti-sanctions initiatives, and support for global economic governance reform. However, this unity of purpose was short-lived; divergent interests soon reasserted themselves.

As BRICS prepares to tackle the Strait of Hormuz crisis, there’s a pressing need for clarity on the bloc’s stance. Will India and China bridge their differences? Can Brazil mediate internal disputes and drive collective action? Or will regional rivalries and competing interests thwart these efforts?

The outcome is far from certain, but one thing is clear: BRICS holds a unique position in global affairs. With economic might accounting for nearly half of the world’s GDP, this bloc has the potential to shape the trajectory of international diplomacy – especially on pressing issues like energy security.

The eyes of the world will be on New Delhi next month as BRICS countries convene for their summit. The stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain. Can India, China, and other BRICS members put aside their differences and demonstrate collective action to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis?