Why Turkey’s BRICS Dream Hit a Wall—And How India & China Quietly Made It Happen
Let’s Talk About BRICS First
You know BRICS—that group with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa? It’s kind of a big deal. Think of it as the “cool kids’ table” for countries tired of Western dominance. Turkey’s been eyeing a seat there for years, especially with Erdogan wanting alternatives to NATO. But here’s the kicker: India and China basically shut it down without saying much. And the way they did it? Pretty slick, honestly.
1. Why Everyone Wants In On BRICS
1.1 More Than Just an Acronym
BRICS isn’t just some random club. These countries make up nearly half the world’s population and about a quarter of its money. They’ve got their own bank (the New Development Bank), and let’s be real—it’s a power move against the usual Western suspects like the IMF. Joining means you’re part of rewriting the rules.
1.2 Turkey’s Big Plans
Turkey’s been all-in on this “multipolar world” idea—you know, where the U.S. doesn’t call all the shots. After years of butting heads with Europe and NATO, BRICS looked like the perfect backup plan. But then reality hit. And by reality, I mean Delhi and Beijing giving them the quiet side-eye.
2. How India & China Played It Smart
2.1 India’s “Nice But No Thanks” Approach
India never outright said “no” to Turkey. That’s not how diplomacy works. Instead, they just… didn’t say yes. And the reason? Kashmir. Every time Turkey opened its mouth about supporting Pakistan’s stance, India’s diplomats were rolling their eyes so hard you could hear it. You don’t get to meddle in someone’s backyard and then ask for favors.
2.2 China’s Surprising Move
Here’s what’s wild—China actually backed India on this. Yeah, the same China that’s usually Turkey’s buddy. But with border tensions cooling down between Delhi and Beijing, keeping BRICS stable suddenly mattered more than adding another player. Geopolitics is weird like that.
3. How Turkey Shot Itself in the Foot
3.1 That UN Speech That Changed Everything
Remember Erdogan’s 2020 UN speech comparing Kashmir to Palestine? Big mistake. Huge. Indian diplomats were pissed—like “cancel our dinner plans” pissed. You can’t compare a nuclear-armed border dispute to the Middle East conflict and expect a free pass.
3.2 Why Kashmir Was the Dealbreaker
For India, Kashmir isn’t up for debate. It’s like that one relative you don’t bring up at family gatherings. Turkey kept poking the bear, then wondered why the bear wasn’t inviting them to parties anymore.
4. The Diplomatic Slow Roll
4.1 How BRICS Says “No” Without Saying It
Here’s the thing about BRICS: everyone has to agree for new members. So when two heavyweights like India and China start dragging their feet? Game over. They didn’t need to veto—just letting the application gather dust worked perfectly.
4.2 The Art of the Soft Block
A Brazilian diplomat spilled the tea later—apparently, meetings about Turkey’s bid kept ending with “let’s discuss this later.” And later never came. Classic bureaucratic move. If you’ve ever had your HR request “get lost,” you know how this works.
5. What Happens Now?
5.1 Turkey’s Next Move
Erdogan hasn’t said much about this snub. Probably saving face. But insiders say Turkey might dial back the Kashmir talk if they really want BRICS. Problem is, trust is like a broken plate—easier to break than fix.
5.2 The Message to Other Wannabe Members
This whole mess shows who really runs BRICS. Countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia watching this? They’re taking notes. You want in? Better check what India and China care about first.
The Bottom Line
Turkey’s BRICS dream didn’t fail because of some dramatic vote. It died in those quiet moments when two powerful countries exchanged glances and silently agreed. In global politics, sometimes the loudest “no” is the one nobody says out loud.
Source: Navbharat Times – Default
