Senior officials from more than 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, held discussions today, Friday, to enhance relations with the BRICS group during meetings hosted by South Africa, aimed at strengthening ties and positioning the group as a counterforce to the West. The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is looking to expand its membership, with a growing number of countries, mostly from the "Global South," expressing interest in joining.
Once seen as a loosely interconnected alliance of diverse emerging economies, BRICS has gained clearer characteristics in recent years, initially supported by China and further energized by Russia since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022. In her opening remarks for today's discussions, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor spoke on behalf of the group as a champion of the developing world, stating that rich countries and global institutions abandoned them during the COVID-19 pandemic. She added, "The world has failed to cooperate. Developed nations have not fulfilled their commitments to the developing world, and they are trying to place all responsibility on the shoulders of the Global South."
The South African Foreign Minister noted that foreign ministers aim to complete a framework for accepting new members before the BRICS leaders' summit in Johannesburg next August. An official agenda revealed that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan sent representatives to Cape Town for talks dubbed "Friends of BRICS." Meanwhile, Egypt, Argentina, Bangladesh, Guinea-Bissau, and Indonesia participated remotely.
China, the major power within the group, announced last year its desire to initiate a process for accepting new members. Other members have expressed interest in nations they would like to see join the group. However, officials indicated on Thursday that there is still work to be done and expressed the need for caution in proceeding. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira stated, "BRICS represents a history of success... the group is also a landmark and origin, so we must take care of it."
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar commented that discussions on Thursday included deliberations regarding the principles, criteria, and guidelines for what an expanded BRICS bloc might look like. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has previously emphasized the necessity of following a public policy for such expansion, rather than considering individual nominations.
Preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit at the presidential level in August are moving forward amidst controversy over the potential attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court earlier this year. As a member of the ICC, South Africa will face pressure to arrest Putin if he travels to the country for the summit. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously indicated that his country is still exploring its legal options regarding hosting the Russian president.
