India and Africa in the Expanding Horizon of BRICS: A Comprehensive Analysis

From the historical legacy of anti-colonial solidarity and the origins of the Non-aligned Movement, India-Africa relations have matured to reflect dynamic partnership based on trade, investment, development cooperation and geopolitical alignments. The expansion of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) since 2023–2024, incorporating Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and, the partner status for Nigeria, has introduced new institutional mechanisms and strategic imperatives. This paper offers a detailed multi-dimensional review of the changes to India-Africa engagement in the light of BRICS, in political, economic, security and multilateral dimensions. The study has been done using qualitative case analysis and comparative geopolitical assessment based on the official documents of the Ministry of External Affairs and Commerce (MEA) of India, data from India's Exim bank, reports from New Development Bank (NDB), Carnegie Endowment studies, and CII India Africa Report 2025. The key findings show that the expansion of BRICS enhances India's voice in favouring priorities of the Global South nations, including in reforming the UN Security Council, climate justice, and alternative financing models, in addition to heightening competition with China's Belt and Road initiative. African agency is manifested in the strategy of selection in relation with the BRICS, such as that of Nigeria and Ethiopia, which are trying to achieve a diversified relationship without the conditions imposed by the West. But India's ability to finance concession loans is curtailed, delays in bureaucracy and the balancing act of Quad and BRICS alignment is a risk factor. Finally, the paper lays out policy recommendations based on facts for scaling infrastructure investment, the potential of NDB in promoting Indian exports, scaling capacity development, and promoting trilateral programmes between India-BRICS-African Union. This research addresses International Relations literature related to the concept of multipolarity, South-South Cooperation and new south-south power diplomacy.