Securing Allies in China and Russia... BRICS Welcomes 6 New Members Including Saudi Arabia (Comprehensive)

Chinese President Xi Jinping is delivering a speech at the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 23rd (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

BRICS, composed of five emerging economies?Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa?has decided to approve the admission of new member countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

With the addition of new members to BRICS, analysts suggest that a political and economic consultative body comparable to the Group of Seven (G7), led by the United States, will be established.

On the 24th (local time), Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, stated at a press conference held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, "At this summit, the five member countries agreed on the principles, criteria, and procedures for the expansion of BRICS."

Currently, BRICS consists of five member countries, but 22 countries, including Saudi Arabia, have officially requested to join BRICS. Including unofficial interest, it is known that more than 40 countries desire to join BRICS.

The six countries approved for BRICS membership this time, including Saudi Arabia, will become official members as of January 1 next year.

China and Russia, which are under scrutiny from the United States, are actively promoting the expansion of BRICS membership. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized at the summit held in Johannesburg, "We must accelerate the expansion process to attract more countries to BRICS."

All six countries have signed on to China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' (China-Central Asia-Europe land and maritime Silk Road) project.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on the same day regarding BRICS accepting new members that he would contribute to building consensus for further admissions.

According to Russia's Sputnik News and others, Prime Minister Modi said at a press conference, "India welcomes the joining of new countries to BRICS."

This is interpreted as an intention to allow additional admissions based on the consent of member countries, thereby further expanding BRICS' scope.

Modi said, "India has always fully supported the expansion of BRICS membership," and "India believes that the new members will further strengthen BRICS' power and provide new momentum to BRICS' joint efforts."

Initially, India and Brazil, among others, were cautious about expanding membership, concerned that BRICS might be perceived as an 'anti-Western alliance.' However, as BRICS' scope expands, a consensus has formed that it can establish a new global order beyond the framework set by Western countries, leading to progress in discussions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.