BRICS Expansion: What is the rar on the expansion of BRICS? Sensing the secret intention of China, India wants to avoid it

The 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August is being held against the backdrop of several international developments such as the conflict in Ukraine, its impact on the Global South, strained relations between the West and Russia, Western sanctions on Russia. Along with this, the sharp deterioration in US relations with China, weakening of the WTO has put the global trading system under stress. Key issues on the agenda of the summit included expansion of membership, criteria for doing so, increasing cooperation within the Global South and reshaping the global political and economic architecture to benefit developing countries, trade between BRICS countries in national currencies Is. Also the potential of creating a BRICS reserve currency towards de-dollarization of trade exchanges, reform of global governance institutions, promotion of a more multipolar world, achievement of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, etc.

South Africa invites 67 leaders

South Africa has made the Johannesburg summit a significant event by inviting 67 leaders from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean. This is much more than the work done by other BRICS countries through special invitees under their chairmanship. This is a good opportunity for President Ramaphosa to raise his internal and external political profile at a time when South Africa’s economic situation has deteriorated rapidly with per capita GDP falling by nearly 35 percent and youth unemployment high Is.

Why is there stress on BRICS expansion?

According to a report in the Financial Times, people with knowledge of the situation in India and China said that there is growing tension over whether BRICS should be a non-aligned club serving the economic interests of developing countries or a political force that seeks to protect the West. openly challenges. South African officials said 23 countries are interested in joining BRICS. At the same time, Reuters report has claimed that more than 40 countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, Indonesia, Algeria, Egypt and Ethiopia have shown interest in joining the BRICS group.

China favors expansion

China supports the expansion of the group. China’s foreign ministry told Reuters it supports progress in expanding membership and welcomes more like-minded partners to join the ‘BRICS family’ soon. This shows that China openly wants to develop BRICS as a weapon to compete with the world’s most powerful group G7. India does not want that BRICS deviate from the objectives of its formation and instead of becoming the voice of developing countries, it should be used to serve the interests of China.