Pakistan to become permanent member of BRICS?
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Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Pakistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Russia, has revealed the country's active pursuit of BRICS economic alliance membership.
In an interview with TASS news agency, Ambassador Jamali disclosed that Pakistan has already submitted its membership application and is seeking Russia's support, particularly given Russia's upcoming chairmanship of BRICS in 2024. "Pakistan is actively reaching out to member countries, with a specific focus on the Russian Federation, to garner support for its membership," Ambassador Jamali emphasized.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani updated the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Relations in September about Pakistan's endeavors to secure full BRICS membership. He underscored that joining BRICS aligns with Pakistan's goals of restructuring the international financial system and reducing reliance on the dollar. Minister Jilani reassured that concerns about a potential Indian veto were unwarranted, stating that any member resorting to such action would jeopardize its own standing within the group.
BRICS membership, he emphasized, would grant Pakistan representation in a crucial international forum and enhance trade and economic relations with member nations. BRICS, currently comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, might expand in January to include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Analysts estimate that the expanded BRICS+, with over 40 countries expressing interest, is economically larger than the G7.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced in October that BRICS plans to compile a list of partner-state candidates before the 2024 summit in Kazan. During Russia's BRICS chairmanship, the focus will be on broadening the "circle of BRICS friends," including Latin American countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with the China Media Group, emphasized that BRICS expansion is rooted in the principle of global multipolarity.
He highlighted BRICS as a platform for countries to establish relations based on equality, avoiding marginalization and dependence on the whims of a single sovereign.
