At the next meeting in Kazan, Russia, India is anticipated to back Pakistan’s long-standing ambition for BRICS membership, signaling a dramatic change in New Delhi’s position, according to Indian media sources.
With almost 45% of the world’s population and 28% of its economy already represented, the 16th BRICS Summit, which is set for October 22–23, will concentrate on growing the bloc’s membership and may see Pakistan included.
India has previously argued against Pakistan’s admission to the BRICS alliance, pointing to worries about Islamabad’s unstable economy and the possibility of new geopolitical problems.
However, reports indicate that India’s reexamination of its stance has been made possible by a change in the consensus among the current BRICS members, especially China and Russia.
The decision is anticipated to be formally announced during the Kazan meeting, which will be attended by BRICS leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As part of a larger effort to increase the group’s influence in the Global South, the summit, which is being chaired by Russia, will also welcome new members like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran.
The support of Pakistan’s membership petition by India follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s travel to Islamabad earlier this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, according to people familiar with the situation.
It is thought that India’s decision to back Pakistan’s admission into BRICS was influenced by the visit, which was a unique opportunity for high-level communication between the two nations.
During his September visit to Islamabad, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk made it clear that Moscow supports Pakistan’s membership in BRICS.
India’s shift in position is probably a result of Moscow’s backing as well as increased interest in BRICS expansion to include other Global South nations.
