Bloomberg revealed divisions among the founding BRICS countries over the bloc’s expansion policy to include new nations, despite the current summit in Russia not having agenda items on further enlargement.
According to a Bloomberg report, the 16th BRICS leaders’ summit, held in Kazan, Russia, started Tuesday and concluded yesterday, Thursday, with the participation of 32 leaders. Key attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Africa’s President, and leaders of countries that joined last year’s summit in South Africa, such as the United Arab Emirates.
The Bloomberg report states that this summit marks the first gathering since BRICS approved six additional members in last year’s summit in South Africa, though Argentina, under its new president Javier Milei, has since withdrawn, while Saudi Arabia has yet to make a clear decision.
The report added that other countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Nicaragua, and NATO member Turkey, are also seeking BRICS membership.
Bloomberg noted that the founding BRICS countries have differing views on expansion, with India opposing it for now and instead advocating for a group of “BRICS partners” without voting rights similar to those of full members.
The report added that India wishes to steer the bloc away from becoming an anti-U.S. organization dominated by China and Russia, according to Indian officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. Both Brazil and South Africa reportedly support India’s stance.
The magazine also cited unnamed South African officials who conveyed that South Africa would oppose and resist any attempt to diminish its influence within BRICS by inviting Nigeria or Morocco to join. However, they did not specify whether their concerns were political or economic.
International economic reports classify Morocco as an emerging economic power, competing with South Africa in several sectors, especially in investment within the continent and exports. Additionally, Rabat and Pretoria diverge on many political issues, most notably the Western Sahara conflict, with South Africa supporting the separatist Polisario Front.
