BRICS: Laying the Foundations of the Next Empire?

A nice souvenir postcard from Kazan 22-24 october 2024 for those who still really believe that Russia is isolated and without resources.

Brics+.jpg
https://brics-russia2024.ru/en/summit/

Behind this card, John Donne from his Devotions/Meditation 17
could have signed:
PERCHANCE he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that. The church is Catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all. When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me; for that child is thereby connected to that head which is my head too, and ingrafted into that body whereof I am a member. And when she buries a man, that action concerns me: all mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again, for that library where every book shall lie open to one another. As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness. There was a contention as far as a suit (in which both piety and dignity, religion and estimation, were mingled ), which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined, that they should ring first that rose earliest. If we understand aright the dignity of this bell that tolls for our evening prayer, we would be glad to make it ours by rising early, in that application, that it might be ours as well as his, whose indeed it is. The bell doth toll for him that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that that occasion wrought upon him, he is united to God. Who casts not up his eye to the sun when it rises? but who takes off his eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not his ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? but who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of himself out of this world? No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. Neither can we call this a begging of misery, or a borrowing of misery, as though we were not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbours. Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did, for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it. No man hath affliction enough that is not matured and ripened by it, and made fit for God by that affliction. If a man carry treasure in bullion, or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current money, his treasure will not defray him as he travels. Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it. Another man may be sick too, and sick to death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell, that tells me of his affliction, digs out and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another's danger I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security.
 
Something smells bad in Brazil...


Translated: Puñalada artera en la “patria grande” - Revista Hegemonía

A treacherous stab in the “great homeland”​


Caught in their ideological innocence, which leads them to make gross errors in observing political reality, the so-called “progressives” frantically denounce a betrayal by “Lula” da Silva of the “great Latin American homeland” when the Brazilian vetoed Venezuela’s incorporation into the BRICS. But the “progressives”, like the liberals, are addicted to a falsified historical narrative and, being so, are also incapable of understanding the specific function of each country based on its founding circumstances. Where “progressivism” sees a convergence of interests between Brazil and its Hispanic American neighbors, what really exists is a giant with a “manifest destiny” in its conscience and with the conviction that it was born to reign in South America.​
 
I try to find if Venezuela is part of the Bricks. Can someone tell me? I saw Venezuela in the design of the money, but it is accurate? Thank you in advance.
I am sorry for the noise. I just saw the picture of all the members. And I send this picture to a friend that hates Maduro and told me that Putin just said to Maduro: you go that way, we do not accept countries like yours. Imagine! I was so shocked. Shocked to see that my friend believes this type of information. Now I send this picture of all the members and told her to verify her sources.

Again, sorry for the noise.
 
And what I know is that Putin is not at all happy with the Brazilian veto.
Putin indeed disagrees with Lula's decision:

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hosted the summit, said he agreed with Venezuela's position, but added that it would only be able to join the Brics if there was a consensus in favour among its members.

Putin, at a news conference on Thursday, said:
"We know Brazil's position. We don't agree, Venezuela is fighting for its survival."

He said he discussed the issue with Lula when they spoke on the phone this week. Lula was scheduled to travel to Russia for the summit, but cancelled the trip after injuring his head in an accident at home on Saturday.

Putin added that he would work to help the two South American neighbours mend relations.
 
Thank you for the information, Bluegazer. I am confused.
Putin never said that to Maduro, that's coming from an altered video from X where they edited it in a way that seems as if Putin is saying to Maduro to leave the room, which is not, Putin basically showing to Maduro which side to seat on the table, again, propaganda against Venezuelan president.
However, it is true that Lula vetoed Venezuela's entry to the BRICS with the reason that the Venezuelan election results are not still clear, in Lula's view, the Venezuelan government hasn't shown any of the acts which officiates Maduro's election which he asked to have a copy, I believe the reason behind that, is the hack attempt the venezuelan election entity suffered on the election night, which maybe modified or altered part of the data.
 
No new therefore high-tech US domestic fighter jets met their annual readiness goal

In contrast with this:
"TUSAS manufactures F-16 fighter jets under license from General Dynamics, as well as a wide range of avionics devices and aircraft components for civilian and military use. The company also builds jets, attack helicopters, and drones for the Turkish military. Its largest shareholder is the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, a state-run military research and procurement organization."
See how US maintains its own, already sold, therefore much less profitable = maintenance only domestic fighter jets:
Combat-readiness-of-US-Air-Force.png

The term Hangar Queen was born. Selling for high profits is maximally interesting. Maintenance however is just draining the coffers, is a lot of work, thus super-boring for work-agnostic US war oligarchs. Diagram source PDF.
 
Putin will not go to the BRICS summit in Brazil because Brazil took a weak stance on the ICC arrest warrant against Putin:

https://www.reuters.com/world/ameri...-arrest-warrant-kremlin-aide-says-2025-06-25/

Now Xi Jinping decided not to go as well, first time he will miss a BRICS summit. There is speculation that this is due to tensions with India:

https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/xi-jinping-brics-brazil-modi-b2776885.html

Is someone succeeding in driving the BRICS apart, especially via India and maybe Brazil?
 
Quotation from Dugin's latest article:

"The West is left only with money and currency speculation, with financial pyramids on which BlackRock rests, along with Larry Fink, the new head of the Davos Economic Forum. As soon as Russia, China, and India exit the dollar zone, the Western colossus with feet of clay will collapse.

Now it is important to transform the agreements between the three historic leaders (Putin, Xi Jinping, and Modi) into an ideology, a strategy, and a philosophy of multipolarity. This goes far beyond the level of individuals, even great ones. Multipolarity, civilizational sovereignty, and the rejection of recognizing the universality of the West (“Westernology”) must become the backbone of politics, industry, economics, education, geopolitics, and the financial system of these three countries, upon whose alliance the new world order will henceforth be built."

 
Impressive parade and comments made in Beijing. I had to laugh when one X commenter essentially said: Gee the Chinese parade lacks diversity:-) Here's a few excepts from the article.

"Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared that China's rise is "unstoppable" and showcased over 10,000 troops marching in perfect synchronicity - and a notable lack of 'diversity'"

"Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games."

"mostly notably so-called 'pariahs' Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, hasn't disappointed - and even elicited a quick response from President Trump."


"Trump couldn't resist weighing in on the provocative images..."

The president wrote ironically, "Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America."


Full article with more comments and videos below:

 
This is post is more about Multi polarity rather than strictly BRICS. Recent weeks there was a free trade agreement between India and EU (dubbed as a 'The mother of all deals' ) got some traction. The negotiations were going on seriously since 2022 , though the concept goes back 2006 or 2007. Crux of it EU gets minimal or no traffic entry into India and vice versa. It is a slow process, but a mid-way-out for other players from the big-boys fight between US and China.

As the self interests of individual nations go, India and EU consider it as a alternative to US high-tariffs and trap of dependence on China. China worried about its exports to EU may get hit, Russia is relieved that India was able to remove Anti-Russia clause from (EU) the negotiations. US as usual was not that happy, but this deal's potential is long term things than immediate ( year or letter). So nothing to react immediately. Is this worth the hype of the words? I asked Grok.

Is recent India EU "mother of all deals" is a deal at all?

**Yes, the recent India-EU "mother of all deals" is indeed a real and significant deal—it's the conclusion of negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union.**

Announced on January 27, 2026, during an India-EU summit in New Delhi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explicitly called it the "**mother of all deals**," describing it as creating a free trade zone for about 2 billion people (roughly a quarter of global GDP). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials echoed this, hailing it as a historic milestone and India's largest/most comprehensive trade pact.

### Key Details of the Agreement
- **Tariff Reductions**:
- The EU will eliminate or reduce tariffs on ~99.5% of Indian exports (by value), providing immediate or phased zero-duty access for labor-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, footwear, gems/jewelry, marine products, and more.
- India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on ~96.6% of EU exports, benefiting European goods like cars (tariffs dropping from up to 110% over time, with quotas), machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wine/spirits, and industrial products.
- **Expected Impact**:
- Savings of ~€4 billion annually in duties for EU exporters.
- Potential to double EU exports to India by 2032.
- Boost for Indian exports in key sectors, supporting jobs and growth.
- **Broader Scope**: Beyond goods, it covers services, investments, and regulatory cooperation. It was accompanied by deals on security/defense partnership and mobility/migration.

### Status: It's Concluded, But Not Yet Fully in Force
Negotiations (ongoing intermittently since 2007, relaunched in 2022) wrapped up successfully in January 2026. However, it's at the "conclusion of negotiations" stage:
- It requires legal scrubbing/finalization, approval by the EU Council and Parliament, ratification in India, and possibly other steps.
- Implementation/entry into force is expected in 2026 (potentially late in the year) or early 2027, with phased rollouts for some tariffs.

This is not just hype—multiple reliable sources (European Commission press releases, major outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Bloomberg, and official Indian statements) confirm the agreement as a landmark achievement, accelerated partly by global trade tensions (e.g., US tariffs under Trump pushing diversification).

In short, yes—it's very much a real deal, one of the biggest trade pacts in recent years, though full benefits will roll out over time after ratification.

What is US and China's reaction to it?

The **US reaction** to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), announced on January 27, 2026, has been mixed but largely critical from the Trump administration, viewing it through the lens of its own tariff policies and geopolitical priorities. No direct public comment from President Donald Trump himself has emerged yet, but key officials have weighed in sharply.

- **US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent** strongly criticized the deal, accusing the EU of undermining its own interests and indirectly supporting Russia amid the Ukraine war. He highlighted that the US imposed 25% tariffs on India (part of a total 50% on Indian goods) specifically for continuing to buy Russian oil, yet the EU proceeded with a trade pact anyway. Bessent described the EU as "financing the war against themselves" by prioritizing commerce over aligning with US sanctions pressure.
- **US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer** offered a more nuanced take in interviews (e.g., on Fox Business), acknowledging that **India "comes out on top"** in the deal. He noted India gains significantly more market access into Europe (with advantages in low-cost labor, potential mobility provisions for workers, and exports in sectors like textiles and autos), while suggesting the EU is "doubling down on globalisation" in a way that contrasts with US priorities. Some analysts see this as grudging recognition that the pact could indirectly pressure faster progress in stalled US-India trade talks.
- Broader context: Many outlets frame the FTA as a strategic hedge by both India and the EU against US tariff volatility (including threats over issues like Greenland or Russian energy ties). This has fueled speculation of White House displeasure, though some think-tank views (e.g., Atlantic Council) suggest it might even accelerate US-India bilateral negotiations rather than derail them.

**China's reaction** has been more subdued and analytical, with limited official statements but clear underlying concern from state-affiliated and expert commentary.

- Beijing appears **wary** of the deal's implications for its export dominance, particularly in sectors like textiles, apparel, electronics, and manufacturing where India could gain competitive edges in the EU market via lower tariffs. Chinese policymakers and media (e.g., via outlets like Table.Briefings) have noted fears of economic losses, with EU exports to India potentially rising 50% and India climbing the value chain at China's expense.
- The pact aligns with broader EU efforts to **"de-risk"** from China (e.g., reducing dependence on Chinese critical minerals, EVs, and supply chains), which adds to tensions amid ongoing EU-China trade frictions (like duties on Chinese EVs and counter-measures on dairy).
- Some analyses portray the FTA as part of a "middle-power" network (India-EU) asserting independence from both US unpredictability and Chinese economic heft, potentially complicating Beijing's regional influence. No aggressive public backlash has surfaced, but it's seen as accelerating global diversification away from China-centric trade patterns.

Overall, the deal—while economically landmark—has heightened geopolitical ripples, with the US viewing it as defiance of its pressure tactics and China seeing it as a further erosion of its manufacturing advantages in Western markets. Reactions remain fluid as the agreement moves toward ratification and implementation in the coming months.

What is Russia's take on it?
Russia's reaction to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluded on January 27, 2026, has been **cautious, pragmatic, and largely non-confrontational**, with no high-profile statements from President Vladimir Putin or Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov directly addressing it in the immediate aftermath. Official and semi-official commentary focuses on reassurance that the deal does not threaten India's longstanding ties with Russia, particularly amid ongoing Western sanctions over Ukraine.

### Key Points from Russian Sources and Officials
- The Russian Ministry of Economic Development stated that it would only assess the full implications of the FTA **after all protocols and details are publicly released**. This reflects a wait-and-see approach rather than immediate alarm.
- Russian media (e.g., Izvestia) and diplomatic channels emphasized a major positive: **the final agreement does not include any clause requiring India to comply with EU (or Western) sanctions against Russia**. During negotiations, the EU reportedly pushed for such a provision (linked to anti-Russian measures), but India successfully resisted. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed that New Delhi adheres only to UN Security Council sanctions, not unilateral Western ones.
- This outcome is portrayed as a win for Russia-India relations. Despite closer EU-India economic ties, India maintains its "independent" foreign policy, continuing discounted oil purchases, defense cooperation, and non-condemnation of Russia's actions in Ukraine—frictions that persist in EU-India dynamics.

### Broader Context and Sentiment
- Russian commentary views the deal as part of India's multi-alignment strategy: diversifying trade amid US tariffs (partly over Russian oil) while preserving strategic partnerships with Moscow. Some outlets note India's simultaneous pursuit of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (which includes Russia), signaling balanced diversification.
- There is underlying satisfaction that EU pressure on India to "decouple" from Russia (e.g., over energy imports or military ties) failed to materialize in binding commitments. One Russian spokesperson reportedly described the EU's broader outreach to India as "begging" for partnerships amid its own challenges (energy security, US unreliability), implying Moscow sees Europe's moves as a sign of weakness rather than a direct threat.
- No aggressive backlash has emerged—unlike sharper US criticism—likely because the pact reinforces India's refusal to isolate Russia economically or politically, even as it deepens EU ties.

In summary, Russia appears **relieved rather than threatened**, seeing the FTA as evidence that India won't bow to Western pressure to curtail relations with Moscow. The Kremlin is monitoring details closely but views the outcome as preserving the status quo in bilateral ties, which remain robust despite global shifts. Reactions could evolve as the agreement moves to ratification and implementation in the coming months.

In any case, Universe has its plans including cleansing, ice age and so on.
 
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