Is India planning to support Pakistan’s membership of BRICS?

Global leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have assembled in Kazan for the annual BRICS Summit 2024. The event achieved a milestone yesterday because of the Kazan Declaration.

The comprehensive document outlines the different vision and objectives of member countries. The Russian city is hosting the 16th BRICS Summit from October 22 – 24. This year’s leaders summit is being attended by the expanded BRICS grouping.

Pakistan makes a formal request to join BRICS

The BRICS bloc initially comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South. Earlier this year, four more countries joined the grouping, including Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE. More than 30 other countries have expressed interest in joining, according to Putin.

Last year, Pakistan made a formal request to join BRICS. Since then, the likelihood of India’s acceptance of Pakistan’s membership of the leading Global South economic bloc has been speculated in the media on both sides of the border.

The chances only increased after the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia recently gave public support to Pakistan’s bid to join the grouping. Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have also officially submitted their applications to join the BRICS bloc.

BRICS seeking stronger ties in the Global South

“By joining BRICS, Pakistan can play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalising inclusive multilateralism,” Pakistani diplomat Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said. By the end of the Summit, member states could announce the nations invited to join.

The theme for BRICS Summit 2024 – Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security – focuses on creating a fair and equitable global order. The grouping seeks to establish stronger ties in the Global South and highlight these nations’ opinions.