Pakistan attempts to secure permanent membership of BRICS

This could be a preliminary step to garner support for its BRICS membership. Experts in Pakistan argue that membership would enable the country to strengthen ties with BRICS nations. Furthermore, it would allow Pakistan to apply greater pressure or present its case more authoritatively to Western nations, particularly the United States.

Islamabad’s primary goal in joining the group is to compete with India and secure financial benefits, such as loans, to revitalize its struggling economy.

In 2023, the original five BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – invited Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to join.

The 2024 summit is set to admit 13 additional countries, possibly as associates or “partner countries.” Over the years, the group has increasingly emphasized closer trade and financial collaboration with new members like the UAE, Iran, and Egypt, taking the lead from the original members.

The BRICS countries function as an organisation aiming to deepen economic cooperation among their members and enhance their economic and political standing globally. Notably, as of 2023, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the five original BRICS nations accounts for 31.5 percent of global GDP, compared to 30.7 percent for the G7 nations, which have been ranked among the world’s fastest-growing emerging market economies for years.

Furthermore, the group has established joint priorities, such as resolving regional issues, addressing financial and economic challenges like World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) reforms, and creating the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism.

Reports suggest that, besides China, Pakistan has been urging Russia to accept its request for membership. During a recent visit by the Speaker of the Russian Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, to Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari once again sought Russia’s support for Islamabad’s bid to join BRICS.

The official statement indicated that President Zardari requested Moscow’s backing for BRICS membership, which would greatly assist “Pakistan in enhancing its role in regional and global cooperation through the alliance.”

In November 2023, Pakistan formally applied to join BRICS. The official reason provided by the Pakistani side for this request was, “We believe that by joining BRICS, Pakistan can play an important role in advancing international cooperation and revitalizing inclusive multilateralism. We also hope that BRICS will consider Pakistan's request in line with its commitment to inclusive multilateralism.”