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International Relations•Regional and Global Groupings

SCO, BRICS and G20

SCO, BRICS and G20

What the topic is and why it matters for UPSC

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS (now a ten‑nation bloc) and the Group of Twenty (G20) are the three most consequential multilateral platforms that shape global governance, security architecture, and the international economic order. For a civil‑servant, understanding these groupings is essential because:

  • They are instruments of India’s foreign policy – each offers distinct avenues for advancing strategic autonomy, economic cooperation, and diplomatic leverage.
  • They reflect the shifting balance of power from a West‑centric world to a more multipolar system, a theme that recurs in UPSC essays on international relations, security, and development.
  • Decisions taken in these fora directly impact India’s trade, investment, energy security, counter‑terrorism, and climate commitments, all of which appear in the syllabus under “India’s foreign policy”, “International organisations”, and “Global issues”.

Constitutional / legal foundation

India’s participation is anchored in Article 51 of the Constitution (foreign policy), which obliges the State to promote international peace, security and friendly relations, and in the Foreigners Act, 1946 and External Affairs Rules, 1968, which provide the procedural framework for signing treaties and attending multilateral meetings.

Sub‑topics covered in this chapter

  1. Genesis and evolution

    • SCO – from the “Shanghai Five” to a 9‑member security & economic bloc.
    • BRICS – from “BRIC” (2001) to the 2024 expansion (Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE).
    • G20 – from the 1999 finance ministers’ meeting to the premier‑level summit (2008‑present).

  2. Membership, institutional architecture & decision‑making

    • Permanent vs. rotating bodies, summit, ministerial meetings, standing committees, and secretariats.

  3. Core agendas and achievements

    • SCO: counter‑terrorism, anti‑extremism, regional connectivity, Eurasian economic corridor.
    • BRICS: New Development Bank (NDB), Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), cooperation in science‑technology, health, and climate.
    • G20: global macro‑economic stability, financial regulation, climate finance, pandemic response, digital economy.

  4. India’s strategic interests and contributions

    • Security cooperation with Russia & Central Asian states (SCO).
    • Development financing and South‑South cooperation (BRICS).
    • Shaping global economic governance and climate commitments (G20).

  5. Challenges and criticisms

    • Divergent political systems, sanctions, and geopolitical rivalries (e.g., Russia‑China alignment vs. Western bloc).
    • Institutional limitations – consensus‑driven decision‑making, lack of binding enforcement.

  6. Future trajectories and reform proposals

    • Possible expansion of SCO, BRICS’ “BRICS‑plus” outreach, G20’s institutionalization (permanent secretariat, broader representation).

Exam relevance

UPSC StageRelevance
PrelimsFactual questions on member states, year of formation, key institutions (e.g., NDB, SCO Secretariat), and recent summit outcomes.
Mains – GS‑IIEssays on “Multipolar world order”, “India’s role in shaping global governance”, or “Reforming international institutions”.
Mains – GS‑IIIQuestions on “India’s strategic engagement with SCO/BRICS/G20”, “Impact of G20 decisions on India’s economy”, or “Security cooperation under SCO”.
Optional (International Relations)In‑depth analysis of the geopolitical calculus behind each grouping, comparative study of their effectiveness, and policy recommendations.

A solid grasp of SCO, BRICS and G20 equips aspirants to answer both fact‑based and analytical questions, enabling them to articulate India’s nuanced position in an increasingly multipolar world.

520 words · 3 min read

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