In a significant move on the international stage, Pakistan has formally submitted its application to join the BRICS group of nations in 2024. The country is looking to garner crucial support from Russia to facilitate its membership, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.
Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Pakistan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Russia, confirmed this development in an exclusive interview with TASS. When asked about Pakistan’s BRICS membership bid, Ambassador Jamali stated that the application had already been lodged. Pakistan’s objective is to become a member of BRICS under Russia’s presidency, which is slated for 2024.
“Pakistan would like to be a part of this vital organization, and we are currently in the process of reaching out to member countries to seek their support for Pakistan’s membership, with a particular emphasis on the Russian Federation,” Ambassador Jamali emphasized.
Russia plays a pivotal role as the current chair of BRICS, making its support crucial in the decision-making process regarding new member applications. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov had previously revealed in early October that BRICS had plans to finalize a list of candidates for partner-state status ahead of the upcoming summit scheduled for 2024 in Kazan. Ryabkov also highlighted that during Russia’s BRICS chairmanship, there would be a concerted effort to expand the “circle of BRICS friends,” with a specific focus on engagement in Latin America.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan’s aspiration to join BRICS underscores its ambition to be a part of this influential international alliance, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), formed in 2010. At the latest BRICS summit held in South Africa in October, the group made a historic decision to invite six additional countries to join their ranks.
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have all received invitations to become full-fledged members of BRICS, with their membership set to take effect on January 1, 2024.
