India Applauds Expansion of BRICS Membership to Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia

GG News Bureau
Moscow, 11th June. India has extended a warm welcome to Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia for joining the BRICS alliance, as their representatives participated for the first time in a crucial meeting of the group hosted by Russia.

Led by senior diplomat Dammu Ravi, the Indian delegation attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. This significant gathering marks the first ministerial meeting following the expansion of BRICS membership in 2023, which saw the inclusion of the aforementioned nations alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Expressing India’s enthusiastic support for the new members, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, underscored the importance of this expanded BRICS family. He emphasized India’s wholehearted embrace of the new membership, signifying a broader platform for collaboration and partnership.

While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was unable to attend the meeting due to prior commitments, Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi represented India. Despite the absence of Minister Jaishankar, the Indian delegation actively participated in discussions aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership within BRICS.

Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued, reaffirming the commitment of BRICS foreign ministers to strengthen cooperation across various domains, including politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The statement emphasized the group’s dedication to multilateralism, upholding international law, and promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.

Key highlights of the joint statement include support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, advocacy for climate change mitigation through the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and opposition to unilateral protectionist measures.

Russia’s presidency of BRICS, which commenced on January 1, 2024, aims to facilitate over 250 diverse events, culminating in a BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024. This summit is expected to serve as a pivotal moment for furthering the collective objectives and collaboration among BRICS member states.