While the expansion of BRICS offers new opportunities, realizing its full potential will require concerted efforts by member states to address internal contradictions and foster meaningful cooperation. Elaborate.

BRICS has recently admitted new members: Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE Opportunities offered by this inclusion: → Raise voice of global south at global platforms like UN → Coordinate on policies and economic matters to tariffs, UNSC reforms, WTO dispute settlement body dysfunction, local currency trades → decentralization contribute to multipolar world order by becoming as a new pole in international politics → Counters the dominance of G-7 in world trade, geopolitics, economy, currency CRA: Collectively receive arrangement → Role of peacemakers in international conflicts: ex Afghanistan, Middle East, Ukraine → Boost connectivity: operationalize INSTC (challenges/contradictions in BRICS that prevent its full potential) → India-China disputes: border skirmishes, India's realignment with US, strategy of Indo-Pacific to counter China, China's string of pearls initiatives → Russia's aggression in Ukraine: condemnation by BRICS members → Iran v/s Saudi/UAE: Real world dispute over leadership

International court of justice is the organ of UN to settle disputes between member countries est. at Hague, Netherlands. [STRUCTURE & FUNCTIONS] consists of judges appointed for 9 year terms with no reelection. Hears 2 types cases: o advisory jurisdiction: legal advice sought by any country on any international treaty/ agreement non binding nature o legal disputes: between two member countries over any treaty / agreement decisions are final and binding. [CHALLENGES] → No jurisdiction against individual offenders - dealt by international ex. No action against Putin for Ukraine war. → Lack of enforcement mechanism no enforcement staff, depends on individual countries, UNSC resolutions

treaty / agreement decisions are final and binding. [CHALLENGES] → No jurisdiction against individual offenders - dealt by international ex. No action against Putin for Ukraine war. → Lack of enforcement mechanism no enforcement staff, depends on individual countries, UNSC resolutions [MEASURES] → Reform of the UN as whole increasing permanent and non permanent members of UNSC to represent contemporary world instead of post WW2 era. → Increasing powers of UNGA → Reform financial mechanisms: increase funding by countries → Provide enforcement workforce to ICJ, to insure implementation of its decisions.

— RITU GOYAL · AIR 223