Multilateral Cooperation in India-Russia Relations: A Decade Review of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction
2. National Interests
3. The Institutionalization Process of BRICS and the SCO
4. Expansion of the Cooperation Agenda
5. Multilateral Organizations in the Emerging Multipolar Order
6. Conclusion

Document Introduction

Against the backdrop of profound transformation in the global order and the rise of non-Western powers, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as two core non-Western multilateral platforms, have become important vehicles for deepening strategic cooperation between India and Russia. This report focuses on the cooperative practices of India and Russia within these two organizations over the past decade (2014-2024). It centrally explores how the evolution of the two countries' foreign policies has influenced their multilateral cooperation paths, as well as the alignment and divergence of interests presented by BRICS and the SCO during their agenda expansion and membership enlargement processes.

The report first outlines the foundations of India and Russia's multilateralism policies: Russia's relations with the West hit a post-Cold War low after the 2014 Crimea incident, and the 2022 Ukraine crisis further reinforced its anti-Western diplomatic orientation, prompting it to view cooperation with the East as key to realizing its great power aspirations; Since the Modi government came to power in 2014, India, on one hand, has maintained continuity in its foreign policy, while on the other hand, has employed a multi-alignment strategy to elevate its international standing. Against the backdrop of border tensions with China, India has steadily deepened relations with the United States while safeguarding its own development interests through multilateral mechanisms.

In the organizational-level analysis, the report details the participation logic and practical differences of India and Russia in the two platforms. Regarding the SCO, both Russia and India initially had addressing non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and extremism as their core demand. Russia simultaneously sought to maintain its dominant security role in Central Asia and balance Chinese influence, while India sought a voice in Eurasian regional security issues and economic cooperation space through membership. However, Pakistan's accession and tense relations with China limited the depth of its cooperation. Within the BRICS framework, as founding members, both India and Russia are dissatisfied with the existing international financial governance system. Russia uses the organization to seek alternative mechanisms to circumvent Western sanctions, while India focuses on promoting reform of international financial institutions and diversified cooperation. However, the two countries have significant differences on issues such as de-dollarization and a common currency.

The report delves into the institutional dilemmas and agenda expansion characteristics of the two organizations: the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is constrained by budget and staffing; the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) have had limited practical effectiveness; and progress on alternative payment systems and common currency initiatives has been slow. Simultaneously, the agendas of both organizations have expanded from their initial core security and economic issues to encompass broader areas including regional conflicts, sustainable development, and global governance reform. However, declarations are often symbolic, lacking specific implementation mechanisms and funding support.

Key findings reveal that India-Russia multilateral cooperation is pragmatically driven, with consensus on promoting a multipolar world order and reforming multilateralism. However, significant differences exist on issues such as criteria for organizational expansion, policies towards China, and approaches to interacting with the West. The expansion of China's economic influence in Eurasia, along with the respective institutional alternatives available to members within the two organizations, further constrains collective action effectiveness. The report concludes that the future relevance of BRICS and the SCO depends on their ability to effectively address the core demands of members like India and Russia by strengthening institutional construction and clarifying implementation pathways, thereby playing a substantive role in the non-Western world's process of promoting international order reform.