UPSC Prelims 2025 Q97: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
- (a) I and II
- (b) II and III
- (c) I and III only
- (d) I only
Answer: (a) I and II
Explanation
BRICS — 16th Summit, Kazan, Russia (October 2024)
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 16th BRICS Summit held under Russia's chairship in Kazan | TRUE | The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia on October 22-24, 2024, under Russia's BRICS chairship. PM Modi attended. ✓ |
| II | Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS | TRUE | At the Kazan Summit, several new members were admitted/invited. Indonesia became a full member of BRICS. ✓ |
| III | Theme of 16th Summit: "Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security" | FALSE | The actual theme was "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The question says 'Multiculturalism' - the correct word is 'Multilateralism' (referring to multi-nation cooperation frameworks). |
Statements I and II correct → Answer: I and II
BRICS Expansion (Kazan 2024):
| Category | Countries |
|---|---|
| Original BRICS (5) | Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa |
| New full members (Jan 2024) | Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE |
| New member (Oct 2024) | Indonesia (full member at Kazan) |
| Partner countries | Several others invited |
Answer: (a) I and II.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statement I (Kazan, Russia chairship) and Statement II (Indonesia as full member) are both accurate. Statement III is wrong — theme was 'Multilateralism' not 'Multiculturalism.'
- (b) Incorrect. 'II and III' would require the theme (Multiculturalism) to be correct — but the Kazan Summit theme was 'Multilateralism' (multi-nation cooperation), not 'Multiculturalism' (cultural diversity).
- (c) Incorrect. 'I and III only' would require Statement III (Multiculturalism) to be correct — it is not. The theme was about multilateral global order, not cultural diversity.
- (d) Incorrect. 'I only' would exclude Indonesia's BRICS membership — Indonesia did become a full BRICS member at the Kazan Summit.
Key point
BRICS Kazan Summit (Oct 2024): Russia as chair, Kazan city, Indonesia admitted as full member. Theme = 'Multilateralism' (NOT 'Multiculturalism') — one word makes the difference.
Remember
16th BRICS Summit = Kazan, Russia, October 2024. Indonesia became full member. Theme = 'Multilateralism' (NOT Multiculturalism) for Just Global Development and Security.
Common mistakes
- Misreading 'Multilateralism' as 'Multiculturalism' — these are completely different concepts; BRICS theme was about multi-nation cooperation frameworks (multilateralism).
- Not knowing Indonesia joined BRICS at Kazan — the 2024 expansion added Indonesia as a full member (important given Indonesia = world's 4th most populous country).
- Confusing which countries joined when: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE joined in January 2024; Indonesia at the October 2024 Kazan Summit.
Exam tip
BRICS Kazan 2024: Russia chairs, Kazan city, Indonesia = new full member, theme = Multilateralism (not Multiculturalism). Expanded BRICS now represents ~45% of world population and ~35% of global GDP. Multilateralism = many nations cooperating; Multiculturalism = many cultures coexisting — very different ideas.
Sources
- BRICS 2024 — Kazan Declaration, October 2024
- Ministry of External Affairs, India — PM Modi at BRICS Kazan Summit
- BRICS — Johannesburg II Declaration (August 2023): decision to invite new members