Islamabad: In a surprising move, Russia, a longstanding ally of India, has announced its support for Pakistan’s bid to join BRICS. This announcement comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts to mediate peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, having met with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky. Despite India’s historical ties with Russia, Moscow has expressed its intention to back Pakistan’s membership in BRICS.
On Wednesday, Russia officially stated that it will support Pakistan’s efforts to join the BRICS group, an economic bloc originally established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2011. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk confirmed this after discussions with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The statement highlighted the intention to strengthen bilateral trade and cultural ties between Russia and Pakistan. Additionally, Overchuk held talks with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, signaling a potential deepening of military and strategic relations between the two countries.
BRICS has seen significant expansion over the past year, with many countries showing interest in joining. By January 2024, Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia are set to become full members of the organization. This expansion indicates BRICS’ growing influence on the global economic stage, as countries seek to diversify their international alliances beyond traditional Western-dominated institutions.
Russia’s support for Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS could have strategic implications, particularly in the context of regional geopolitics. While India has maintained a strategic partnership with Russia for decades, this recent development reflects the complex and evolving nature of international relations, where countries navigate alliances based on shifting geopolitical and economic interests.
