The upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg will focus on the pivotal decision to accept new members, a move strongly pushed by China and Russia but viewed cautiously by Brazil, which finds itself in a minority stance.
China and Russia see the expansion as a means to boost their global influence, while Brazil fears it may dilute the bloc’s standing.
Approximately 30 countries have shown interest in joining, with 22 submitting formal applications.
Notable candidates include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Russia and India, previously opposed to expansion, have recently shifted their positions, contributing to Brazil’s minority view.
Still, an Indian government source notes India’s reservations and emphasizes a need for consensus.
South Africa’s proposed first candidates are Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Egypt, and Indonesia, but Brazil detects regional imbalance in this suggestion.
The summit is unlikely to conclude with the immediate incorporation of new countries; rather, discussions will focus on defining criteria and principles.
Brazil supports a gradual, regionally balanced process and the idea of admitting new countries as partners, not full members.
With its nearly isolated stance, Brazil may struggle to succeed in these negotiations, and the BRICS, established in 2006, may see an expansion in the coming years.
Though Brazil could theoretically block any unwanted decisions, yielding may be inevitable. “We will have to yield at some point because we are realistic, and Brazil negotiates.”
“It is not in our nature to block. But it will probably be bad, and we will have to build other international spaces,” a source said.
With information from Reuters