In an increasingly multipolar order, Saudi Arabia has recalibrated its foreign policy towards a more deliberate multi-alignment strategy. In a 2023 interview, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud highlighted Riyadh’s willingness to engage with global players for economic development and stability in the Middle East, thus diversifying its partnerships beyond its traditional Western alliances. Viewed through Kenneth Waltz’s neorealist framework, this shift towards a multipolar world allows middle powers such as Saudi Arabia to exercise greater strategic autonomy in the international system.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diplomacy through BRICS

BRICS’ main objective is to create a multipolar world order by reforming the global institutions and increasing the influence of developing countries. These objectives of BRICS align closely with Saudi Arabia’s multi-aligned foreign policy and its economic policy. Riyadh also shares a common interest with BRICS countries in conducting trade in non-dollar currencies to broaden its economic diplomacy and international policy influence.

Although Saudi Arabia hasn’t officially become a full member, it was invited to join BRICS+ at the 15th BRICS Summit in 2023. During which, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, highlighted the fact that “the Kingdom is the largest trading partner of the BRICS group in the Middle East”. The total bilateral trade with countries of the BRICS group exceeded US$160 billion in 2022.’

The BRICS grouping follows a principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the state, respecting the sovereignty and independence of each member to conduct its domestic affairs. For Riyadh, these common principles are essential to pursue an autonomous foreign policy.

The emerging BRICS economies present Saudi Arabia with numerous trade opportunities to enhance global supply chains. The Kingdom’s goal of economic diversification can be realised by engaging with major developing economies, such as China, India, and Russia. This act will help balance its excessive dependence on the West and position its role in South-South collaboration.

Saudi Arabia is also favouring mediation and dialogue with regional rivals to promote stability in the Middle East. In this regard, the BRICS platform can help enhance Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic cooperation with Iran, an area where the US involvement remains complex. In 2023, China mediated diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had been frozen since 2016, underscoring the growing role of non-Western actors in regional conflict management. India has similarly emphasised the need to address instability in the Middle East through political and diplomatic dialogue. India’s BRICS presidency in 2026 presents Saudi Arabia with an opportunity to align its regional objectives with BRICS’ wider emphasis on multipolarity and reform of international institutions.

Another dimension of BRICS lies in its institutional flexibility and lack of ideological conditionalities, setting it apart from Western-led groupings. The BRICS grouping follows a principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the state, respecting the sovereignty and independence of each member to conduct its domestic affairs. For Riyadh, these common principles are essential to pursue an autonomous foreign policy.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Diplomacy through OPEC+

OPEC+ remains central to Saudi Arabia’s energy diplomacy and its efforts to shape global oil market outcomes. In 2016, OPEC expanded its cooperation to include major other non-OPEC members—forming what is now known as OPEC+. This grouping was formed in response to the rise of shale oil production in the United States (US). The combined oil production by OPEC+ accounts for about 59 percent of global oil production.** **

The geopolitics of OPEC+ help the Kingdom assert independence from traditional Western allies and build new partnerships with major non-Western powers, such as Russia.

The geopolitics of OPEC+ help the Kingdom assert independence from traditional Western allies and build new partnerships with major non-Western powers, such as Russia. In recent years, Saudi energy diplomacy has often remained independent of US pressure. For instance, in 2022, the US persuaded the Kingdom to increase its oil production to offset the oil price following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Instead, Saudi Arabia, along with OPEC+, reduced oil production, which pushed oil prices up. This decision was aligned with Saudi Arabia’s autonomous economic policies. Riyadh continues to engage with Moscow through the framework of OPEC+ to stabilise the global oil and natural gas market, as well as to protect its energy interests. Since both Russia and Saudi Arabia are dependent on stable crude oil prices in the international market, a sharp decline in crude oil prices affects both economies. Thus, beyond crude oil, both Russia and Saudi Arabia are also expanding their areas of cooperation to include liquefied natural gas, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

Conclusion

To achieve its broader foreign policy objectives, Saudi Arabia maintains a flexible and adaptive approach in its foreign policy. BRICS and OPEC+ platforms enable the Kingdom to deepen its relations with emerging economies, while remaining a vital decision-maker in the global energy market. It helps to prioritise autonomous foreign policy without full alignment to any power bloc. This includes balancing relations with the West while enhancing partnerships with emerging powers, thereby navigating the great power rivalry. The Kingdom continues to rely on the US for its security, intelligence cooperation, and military hardware, while also being aware of the shifting nature of US foreign policy with every new administration in the White House. Its engagement through BRICS and OPEC+ should not be portrayed as anti-Western; rather viewed as an approach to strengthen its position in a multipolar world through energy cooperation, particularly in hydrocarbon production and as an energy supplier to the global economy.

***Kabir Taneja is the Executive Director at the Observer Research Foundation, Middle East. ***

***Surya Prakash ***Noutiyal is a doctoral candidate at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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