Why BRICS will be the death knell of ASEAN

The BRICS block, puts into question any strategic assurances defence pacts like the QUAD offer, with India as a member of both organizations. This brings a new paradigm to the region north of Australia, which should require countries like Australia to totally reevaluate their defence approach.

To ASEAN members, BRICS revives some of the spirit of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which laid the foundation for the non-aligned "South" 70 years ago. The incoming Indonesian President Prabowo didn't even mention ASEAN in his inaugural Presidential Address.

Both China and Russia have shown their understanding of the aspirations of the "South-movement", and are pandering to this. This has signalled the turning point in the strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region. ASEAN is collateral damage and will decline in any importance.

Non-BRICS nations may take heed in the BRICS Kazan declaration which reaffirms BRICS members commitment to multilateralism and upholding of international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN). BRICS is a movement that should be engaged, not defended against.