Pakistan has officially expressed its aspiration to join the esteemed league of BRICS nations by submitting a membership request slated for 2024. Anticipating support, particularly from Russia, the country is actively engaged in reaching out to member nations to bolster its bid.
Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Pakistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Russia, emphasized the country's keenness to integrate into this significant organization. He affirmed ongoing efforts to liaise with member nations, highlighting the Russian Federation as a pivotal supporter in Pakistan's pursuit of BRICS membership.
Confirming the submission of Pakistan's application, the diplomat articulated Islamabad's specific aim to secure membership within the timeline of Russia's presidency in 2024. The BRICS alliance, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa since its establishment in 2010, remains an influential amalgamation of developed and emerging nations.
Recent statements from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov unveiled BRICS' intentions to finalize a roster of candidate countries for partner-state status ahead of the forthcoming 2024 summit in Kazan, as reported by TASS news agency.
At the recent summit held in South Africa, BRICS made pivotal decisions to expand its coalition, extending invitations to six additional countries for membership—Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Their formal induction into BRICS is scheduled for January 1, 2024.
Under Russia's anticipated leadership within BRICS, a strategic emphasis is envisaged on widening the group's global relationships, notably in Latin America. This initiative aims to augment the "circle of BRICS friends," fostering broader international cooperation.
Following Russia's chairmanship in 2020, India took the helm in January 2021, steering the BRICS presidency until December 2021. India's tenure was underscored by the overarching theme 'BRICS@15: Intra BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation, and Consensus.'
Meanwhile, amidst prevailing economic challenges, China's substantial financial support to Pakistan has been unveiled. A recent study highlighted that China extended approximately USD 21 billion more in loans to Pakistan than initially estimated, primarily funding Pakistan's largest energy portfolio globally, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
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