THE Bricks had agreed on the principle of an expansion of the bloc of emerging countries. They translated this intention by announcing on Thursday 24 August that they will welcome six new member countries –ArgentinaEgypt, theIranEthiopia,Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“Membership will take effect from January 1, 2024,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told a joint press conference of the leaders of the five nations that currently make up the bloc. “With this summit, the Brics are starting a new chapter”.
“We have agreed on the issue of expansion. We have adopted a document that defines the guidelines, principles and processes for reviewing countries wishing to become members of the BRICS,” said on Wednesday, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on public radio. The minister then underlined a “positive” step forward.
Some forty countries had applied for membership or expressed an interest. According to the leaders of the “club of five”, which produces a quarter of the world’s wealth and brings together 42% of the world’s population, this enthusiasm shows the growing influence of emerging countries on the world stage.
Read alsoCan a common Brics currency shake the dollar?
China in favor of expansion, India had reservations
The question of the expansion of the group was the priority of this 15th summit which opened on Tuesday. A heterogeneous alliance of geographically distant countries and economies with uneven growth, the Brics had to agree on the strategic choice of new entrants.
The negotiations took place during a plenary session held behind closed doors on Wednesday. Bilateral meetings have also multiplied since the opening of the summit.
China, a heavyweight accounting for around 70% of the group’s GDP, was clearly in favor of expansion. But India, another economic engine of the group which is wary of the ambitions of its Chinese regional rival, had reservations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled that a “consensus” on the terms should be found. The decision-making process within the BRICS requires, in fact, unanimity.
Read alsoEconomy, demography… The weight of the Brics in the world
Observers said Brazil also feared an expansion would “dilute” its influence globally and within the bloc. The Brics reaffirmed their “non-aligned” position at the summit, at a time when divisions have been accentuated by the conflict in Ukraine.
The United States has said it does not see the Brics as future “geopolitical rivals”, saying it wants to maintain “solid relations” with Brazil, India and South Africa.
With AFP