Question 54 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Current Affairs (Internatio nal Relations)

Question

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. I and II

Strategy: Focus on the accurate event linkage and organisation details. The keyword 'Kazan' and 'Russia' in Statement I directly correspond to the actual host and location, confirming its correctness. Statement II requires factual recall of recent member expansion—Indonesia's entry was indeed approved, making it correct. Statement III introduces a subtle word change in the theme: 'multiculturalism' instead of the actual term 'multilateralism', making it incorrect. This identification allows elimination of any option containing Statement III, confirming Option A.

Key Info: - BRICS is an association of major emerging economies, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- The 16th BRICS Summit took place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22–24, 2024, with Russia as chair.
- This was the first summit held after the group's recent expansion.
- In 2023, at the Johannesburg summit, BRICS leaders agreed to admit new members; Indonesia was invited and subsequently confirmed as a full member, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to join.
- Brazil will hold the presidency of BRICS in 2025.
- The official theme for the 16th BRICS Summit was 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security'; multilateralism refers to multiple countries working in concert, while multiculturalism refers to various cultures existing together, indicating a thematic difference.
- BRICS cooperation covers economic, political, and security cooperation, seeking reforms in global governance institutions.
- Enlargement of BRICS membership reflects its growing geopolitical and economic influence.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: II and III

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: I and III

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: I only