Wang calls for China, Russia to strengthen cooperation for making BRICS leading force of Global South

On the sidelines of India's BRICS National Security Advisors conclave (June 22–23, 2026, New Delhi), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Security Co...

What Happened

On the sidelines of India's BRICS National Security Advisors conclave (June 22–23, 2026, New Delhi), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
Wang urged China and Russia to strengthen coordination to make BRICS "a leading force" of the Global South, calling for "strengthening and expansion" of the BRICS mechanism.
He stated the bloc should "address security challenges, safeguard the security environment, inject more certainty into a turbulent world" and promote multilateralism and global justice.
The meeting reflects deepening strategic alignment between Beijing and Moscow within BRICS as they seek expanded influence among developing nations.

Static Topic Bridges

BRICS: Origin, Expansion and Current Composition

BRICS originated as "BRIC" — a Goldman Sachs analytical grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, and China coined by economist Jim O'Neill in 2001. The first formal BRIC summit was held in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. South Africa joined in 2011, creating the BRICS acronym. The bloc positions itself as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions like the G7 and Bretton Woods institutions, advocating for multipolarity and reform of global governance.

At the 2023 Johannesburg Summit, BRICS invited six new members: Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Argentina (Argentina declined under new government). Iran, UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia formally joined on January 1, 2024.
Indonesia joined as a full member on January 6, 2025, bringing total membership to 11 countries.
Collectively, BRICS-11 represents approximately 49.5% of global population, ~40% of global GDP (PPP), and 26% of global trade.
India holds the BRICS Chairmanship in 2026 under the theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

Connection to this news: Wang's call for BRICS expansion and its role as "Global South" leader reflects the bloc's post-2023 strategic pivot from an economic forum to a broader geopolitical alignment mechanism.

Global South: Concept and Strategic Significance

"Global South" is a geopolitical and socioeconomic term referring broadly to nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America — many of them former colonies — that have historically been underrepresented in global decision-making. The term gained currency in the 1970s through the Brandt Commission Report. Unlike "developing countries," it carries a political connotation of shared solidarity against Northern/Western dominance.

India has strategically positioned itself as the voice of the Global South — evidenced by its G20 Presidency (2023) and BRICS Chairmanship (2026), both centred on Global South priorities.
There is a distinction between India's conception of the Global South (inclusive, reform-oriented multilateralism) and China-Russia's usage (which critics argue is geopolitical counter-positioning against the West).
BRICS summits regularly include "Global South outreach" sessions to project the bloc's influence beyond its membership.

Connection to this news: Wang Yi's push to make BRICS the "leading force" of the Global South represents a China-Russia attempt to institutionalise their leadership of developing nations within BRICS — an agenda that can sometimes conflict with India's own aspirations for Global South leadership.

Multipolarity and Reform of Global Governance

Multipolarity refers to a world order characterised by multiple centres of power rather than unipolarity (one dominant power) or bipolarity (two dominant powers as in the Cold War). China and Russia explicitly champion a multipolar world order as a rhetorical and strategic framework, advocating for a shift away from US-led institutions. BRICS communiqués consistently call for reform of the UN Security Council, the IMF voting structure, and Bretton Woods institutions.

The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, was established in 2014 as an alternative to the World Bank and IMF; initial authorised capital was $100 billion.
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) was also set up in 2014 with $100 billion to provide liquidity support to members facing balance-of-payments pressures.
BRICS members collectively hold about 15% of IMF voting share — short of the 15% blocking threshold that would give them veto power over major decisions.

Connection to this news: China and Russia's call to strengthen BRICS as a "leading force" is a direct expression of their multipolar agenda — seeking to institutionalise an alternative governance architecture through BRICS.

Key Facts & Data

BRICS-11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Indonesia (Argentina declined).
BRICS 2026 Chairmanship: India; theme — "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
BRICS represents ~49.5% of global population and ~40% of global GDP (PPP).
New Development Bank (NDB): established 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, authorised capital $100 billion.
Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): established 2014, $100 billion pool for balance-of-payments support.
BRICS NSA conclave (June 22–23, 2026) was hosted by India in New Delhi under India's 2026 chairmanship.
Wang Yi–Shoigu meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS NSA conclave, not as a standalone bilateral.