Pakistan Evaluating BRICS Expansion as Six New Nations Express Interest
Amidst reports of six new countries expressing interest in joining BRICS, Pakistan has affirmed that it will carefully consider these recent developments before making a decision. The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, clarified that the country has not yet formally requested membership within the BRICS consortium.
The recent BRICS Summit 2023, hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 24, witnessed the formal invitation extended to six nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Ethiopia, and Egypt. This invitation sought to expand the group of original member-states that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
BRICS has emerged as an attractive alternative alliance for several nations in the Global South, with Pakistan potentially becoming one of the contenders.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Islamabad will assess the ongoing developments within BRICS and then determine its potential engagement with the bloc.
“Recent developments in Johannesburg related to BRICS have captured our attention. We have noted its commitment to inclusive multilateralism. Pakistan has consistently voiced its support for inclusive multilateralism in the past,” Baloch stated.
Furthermore, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch underlined that Pakistan remains a staunch advocate of multilateralism and is committed to playing a significant role in fostering global peace and development.
“We will persist in our efforts on the international stage to nurture a sense of international cooperation and reinvigorate inclusive multilateralism,” the spokesperson concluded.