National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday, 23 June asserted that BRICS is far more than an economic grouping, calling it a collective home to nearly half the world's population with a 'special role' in navigating a global order under strain. Speaking at the 16th BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi, Doval underscored the urgency of collective action as geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, and disruptive technologies reshape the international security landscape.

Scale and Significance of BRICS

Doval painted a striking picture of the grouping's collective weight. 'It is no ordinary grouping, but a home of 1.4 billion people that constitutes nearly 49 per cent or nearly half of the global population,' he said, adding that BRICS member states together contribute $31.5 trillion to global wealth — more than 30 per cent of the global economy — and span a land mass of over 42 million square kilometres.

He described BRICS as a 'very special coalition' of nations united by shared aspirations for peace, development, and economic growth, and expressed satisfaction at the grouping's steady expansion and growing influence on the world stage.

A World in Turmoil: Doval's Assessment

'We are meeting at a very tumultuous time. The world is beleaguered by military conflicts and complex security problems. It is facing geopolitical uncertainties, economic strain and disruptive technologies,' Doval said. He noted that existing institutional frameworks and conflict-resolution mechanisms are 'increasingly finding themselves inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts.'

Expressing concern over the erosion of collective global governance, Doval stated plainly: 'Multilateralism is on the decline' — at precisely the moment when coordinated international responses are most needed. He traced BRICS back to its founding vision as an 'informal grouping of emerging economies' aimed at promoting a multipolar world order and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

Non-Traditional Threats and Cyber Security

Doval warned that non-traditional security threats have grown more sophisticated and adaptive, outpacing conventional responses. 'Non-traditional threats have transcended national borders and have developed defeat systems against conventional responses. Innovative disruptive technologies, more camouflaged variants of terrorism, cyber threats, in a world that is getting increasingly digitised, all constitute important threats for us,' he said.

The meeting, he noted, would deliberate on outcomes from two BRICS Joint Working Groups — one on counter-terrorism and another on security in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) — both of which have gained heightened relevance in the current environment.

Cautious Optimism on US-Iran Developments

Doval also addressed recent diplomatic movement between the United States and Iran, welcoming a Memorandum of Understanding reportedly reached between the two countries. He said India viewed the development with 'cautious optimism', citing potential benefits for energy security and global supply chains.

'The opening of the Strait of Hormuz is a very welcome development. It will remove supply chain bottlenecks, and many of the shortages in the field of fertilisers and chemicals, among others, will be addressed,' he said, adding that improved freedom of navigation in the region would boost economic prosperity for countries well beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

India's Role as Host

India is hosting the 16th BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting, bringing together top security officials from member states to deliberate on evolving strategic challenges and deepen cooperation. National Security Advisors and heads of delegation from across the BRICS grouping are participating in the discussions. The meeting signals India's continued engagement with the expanded BRICS framework at a moment of heightened global uncertainty.