When the BRICS forum of five major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – met for its annual summit in Johannesburg in August, the bloc announced a major expansion by inviting Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates to join the group in 2024. If all the invitations are accepted, BRICS will represent 42% of the world’s population and 36% of global gross domestic product. While the primarily economic bloc was originally created to offer a counterbalance to Western institutions, this latest expansion has been criticized for helping to increase China’s political clout and reduce Russia’s isolation.  

Does the expansion signify a growing alignment of geopolitical and economic agendas within BRICS? When faced with choices to either deepen and institutionalize ties or expand outward, why did BRICS choose expansion? What were the motivations of Russia and China for expanding membership, and why was India hesitant? What do Gulf countries, namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, seek in deepening their engagement with BRICS? And does their involvement conflict with other multilateral engagements? How will the sometimes-conflicting strategic goals of the new members affect the bloc’s ability to reshape the international system?