“BRICS Plus” format: background, institutionalization trajectories and regional specific features

Introduction. BRICS has become a significant multilateral entity in the international system. Participation in it and cooperation with its member-states are an essential component of Russia’s foreign policy. BRICS is evolving, new work formats are being introduced, as well as new trends in cooperation and member-states’ policy courses. This paper is aimed at the analysis of a new BRICS format, “BRICS plus”, introduced in 2017. Aims. Analysis of the origin, specific features and purposes of “BRICS plus” format in its interaction with different regions of the world. Methods. Comparative analysis, discourse analysis of diplomatic documents and historical-genetic approach. Results. The research reveals that, although “BRICS plus” format was officially institutionalized in 2017, the prerequisites for its launch had been formed as far as 2011. In addition, the incentive to shift the BRICS focus to the external communication had been put forward by an individual member-state - the People’s Republic of China. The new format - “BRICS plus” is aimed at BRICS interaction with the regions of the world - Central Asia, Latin America, Africa. However, this format is interpreted by the BRICS member-states differently. Conclusion. Although new formats of cooperation and the development of external communication is normal for an international entity, the divergence of approaches to utilizing the new opportunities displays serious discrepancies of the member-states’ views on the perspectives and priorities of BRICS and reveals the fact of prioritizing personal interest while using common framework.