By K. C. Sharma

The international economic order is undergoing significant change. Competition over trade, finance, technology and energy is encouraging developing countries to reassess their external partnerships. Alongside established international institutions, groupings such as BRICS have become increasingly relevant to debates about multipolarity, development finance and the representation of emerging economies in global governance.

For Myanmar, these developments offer opportunities to broaden international cooperation. As the country advances its development priorities, improving access to investment, modernizing infrastructure and securing reliable energy supplies remain important objectives. Closer engagement with BRICS, potentially through partner-country status, could provide an additional avenue for cooperation in finance, technology and energy.

The case for such engagement rests on its potential to broaden Myanmar’s options. Its value would depend on the scope of participation available, the willingness of prospective partners to cooperate and Myanmar’s capacity to translate diplomatic engagement into viable projects. BRICS partnership should therefore be assessed as a possible component of a wider energy-security strategy.

Broadening Financial and Economic Partnerships

Myanmar’s energy priorities are closely linked to the availability of investment. Infrastructure modernization requires sustained financing, while existing sanctions and evolving domestic conditions can influence the pace and scope of engagement by international investors and financial institutions. Broadening financial partnerships could help support the country’s infrastructure and energy development objectives.

Closer cooperation with BRICS countries could help diversify Myanmar’s economic relationships. The development of additional trade, financing and logistics arrangements may reduce dependence on a narrow range of external channels and create opportunities for longer-term partnerships.

Iran’s participation in BRICS illustrates the interest that countries facing Western sanctions have shown in expanding their relationships within the grouping. However, its experience cannot be assumed to offer a directly transferable model for Myanmar. The benefits of engagement would depend on each country’s economic circumstances, institutional arrangements and relationships with other participants.

The New Development Bank (NDB) is relevant to this discussion because of its role in infrastructure and development financing. Myanmar could explore whether closer engagement with BRICS might support future cooperation involving the bank. Such possibilities should remain conditional: partner-country status should not be presented as an automatic entitlement to NDB financing.

Local-currency financing also deserves consideration. Where commercially feasible, it could help diversify settlement arrangements and reduce certain foreign-exchange exposures. Its effectiveness would depend on currency stability, liquidity and the preferences of lenders and suppliers.

Similarly, clearly defined project structures and appropriate dispute-resolution arrangements could improve investment confidence. These mechanisms would require careful design and implementation; they should not be assumed to eliminate political, financial or operational risks.

An Energy Transition Responsive to National Circumstances

A central feature of the BRICS energy approach described in its cooperation framework is the emphasis on transitions that reflect national circumstances and development priorities. For Myanmar, this principle has practical relevance. Energy policy must address immediate electricity shortages while supporting longer-term modernization and decarbonization.

Reliable power is essential to industrial activity, public services and household welfare. Transition policies therefore need to consider affordability, supply continuity and the capacity of the electricity system to accommodate new technologies.

Within this framework, conventional fuels, including coal and gas, may continue to play a role during a phased transition. Their continued use should be evaluated against supply reliability, economic viability, environmental performance and the availability of alternatives.

A gradual approach can give Myanmar time to strengthen its electricity network, develop cleaner generation and improve energy efficiency. However, sequencing should be accompanied by clear objectives so that measures adopted to address immediate shortages support the country’s longer-term development needs.

Closer engagement with BRICS could provide opportunities to exchange experience on these questions. The relevant policy contribution would be greater flexibility in designing an affordable and orderly transition, supported by practical cooperation.

Expanding Access to Energy Technologies

The grouping’s recognition of conventional energy needs exists alongside substantial capabilities in renewable energy and other technologies. Its energy cooperation roadmap identifies opportunities for joint research, investment and technology collaboration.

These capabilities are relevant to Myanmar’s infrastructure requirements. China has a strong position in solar manufacturing, batteries and related supply chains. Russia possesses advanced nuclear technologies, while Brazil has extensive experience in biofuels. Cooperation with these countries could broaden the range of technologies and equipment available for consideration.

Access, however, would depend on specific agreements, financing arrangements and project suitability. Myanmar would need to assess technologies according to their costs, infrastructure requirements, implementation timelines and domestic operating capacity.

For example, solar generation and storage could be considered within plans to improve electricity availability, while biofuel cooperation could be assessed against domestic resource conditions. Nuclear cooperation would require particularly careful evaluation of institutional capacity, financing and long-term operational responsibilities.

The strongest case for technology cooperation lies in matching external expertise to clearly identified national needs. Affordable equipment would be most valuable when accompanied by skills development, maintenance capacity and arrangements that support sustained operation.

Strengthening Supply-Chain Resilience

BRICS brings together major energy exporters and substantial energy-consuming economies. This combination creates a potentially useful setting for dialogue on supply security, investment and energy trade.

For Myanmar, closer relationships within this network could support efforts to diversify suppliers and strengthen access to essential energy resources. Such cooperation may be especially relevant when geopolitical tensions disrupt established supply routes, including those passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Nevertheless, participation in a diplomatic grouping cannot by itself ensure uninterrupted deliveries or protection from international price volatility. Physical supply security depends on the availability of fuel, transport infrastructure, commercial contracts and the resilience of delivery arrangements.

The practical objective should therefore be to develop a broader and more dependable supply network. Cooperation with BRICS countries could contribute to that objective through commercially viable agreements and investment in supporting infrastructure.

Diversification would also require attention to concentration risks. Myanmar’s energy strategy should preserve sufficient flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and the circumstances of individual suppliers.

A Pragmatic Framework for Engagement

Pursuing BRICS partner-country status could be a reasonable step toward expanding Myanmar’s international cooperation. Its potential advantages include stronger energy relationships, wider access to technology and additional opportunities to explore development financing.

Realizing these benefits would require a focused agenda. Myanmar would need to identify priority projects, assess financing terms and establish credible arrangements for implementation. Domestic stability and the capacity to manage infrastructure investments would remain central to the success of external cooperation.

Engagement with BRICS could also form part of a broader approach that maintains constructive relationships with regional partners and other development institutions. A diversified diplomatic and economic strategy would give Myanmar greater room to pursue arrangements suited to its needs.

The strongest argument for BRICS partnership is its potential to expand practical choices at a time of significant energy and financial pressure. With realistic expectations, carefully selected projects and sustained implementation, closer engagement could contribute to a more resilient energy system and a transition consistent with Myanmar’s development circumstances.

In an increasingly multipolar world, Myanmar’s interests would be served by cooperation that delivers reliable electricity, affordable energy and durable infrastructure. BRICS partnership offers a possible avenue toward those goals, whose value should ultimately be measured by tangible benefits for the economy and the people it serves.

Source: www.orfonline.org- The Case fir BRICS Cooperation: Energy Security and a Managed Energy Transition