Brics Extends Invitations to Six Countries, Affirms Strengthening of the Group, PM Modi State

Major Breakthrough: Brics Invites Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE as Full Members

In a landmark development, the Brics consortium took a historic stride on Thursday by extending invitations to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to join the group as full-fledged members. This expansion marks the first of its kind since South Africa's inclusion in 2010.

At the forefront of this momentous decision was President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who currently chairs the Brics alliance comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Speaking during a news conference flanked by leaders from Brazil, India, and China, President Ramaphosa revealed the successful alignment on principles and criteria for the group's enlargement.

The newly invited nations are set to officially join Brics on January 1, 2024. Emphasizing the collaborative nature of Brics, Ramaphosa underlined that the alliance operates on the foundation of equal partnership among countries with diverse perspectives. He affirmed that while this expansion phase has been agreed upon, subsequent phases are already on the agenda for further discussion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing his thoughts at the news conference, expressed India's steadfast support for Brics' expansion and its belief that the new entrants would significantly reinforce the organization. He stressed that this move would inject fresh dynamism into collective endeavors.

PM Modi's words echoed his confidence in the added dimensions the new members would bring to bilateral cooperation. He congratulated the leaders and citizens of the incoming nations and envisioned their participation as a momentum builder for Brics' collaborative pursuits. The prime minister also extended India's hand in assisting other countries keen on joining Brics, aiming to foster consensus for their inclusion.

During the selection process, India prioritized strategic partnerships with its chosen entrants. Ethiopia's inclusion notably signifies a departure from the strategic partnership criterion. Significantly, all six newly invited nations have signed agreements to participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative, with the exception of India.

China's active advocacy for Brics expansion seeks to establish a balance against Western influence globally. This push has garnered support from Russia, as both nations aim to augment their diplomatic influence. However, India's concern centered around maintaining the consortium's equilibrium and avoiding its transformation into a China-centric body, especially in the context of strained India-China relations due to ongoing border tensions.

The expansion holds profound economic implications as well. Argentina's intention to utilize International Monetary Fund (IMF) disbursements to reimburse China and Ethiopia's substantial debt to China underpin the multifaceted nature of this development.

As Brics ushers in this new chapter, the global stage awaits the collaborative potential and impact that these diverse additions will bring to the consortium's shared objectives.