KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s entry into BRICS could happen soon after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed new countries to join the intergovernmental organisation today.
Modi highlighted “high expectations” from BRICS, adding that any decision on expanding the economic bloc should be made by consensus.
“India is ready to welcome new countries into BRICS as ‘partner countries,’” Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Modi as saying during a summit of BRICS leaders in Kazan, Russia.
The meeting, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, included leaders from Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who are participating for the first time as official members since joining in January.
Modi made his remarks during a closed-door session of the summit, which began yesterday.
“In this regard, all decisions should be made by consensus, and the views of the BRICS founding members should be respected,” said Modi.
He also noted that several new applications for membership are pending.
Malaysia sent an application to Russia to join BRICS in July.
“Our meeting is taking place at a time when the world is facing numerous pressing challenges, including wars, economic uncertainty, climate change, and terrorism,” Modi added.
Discussing the North-South and East-West divide, Modi expressed that BRICS has “high expectations” as a diverse and inclusive group, with the potential to “play a positive role in all areas.”
He also called for global regulations on cybersecurity and the safe use of artificial intelligence, emphasising that “BRICS is not a divisive organisation but one that works in the interest of humanity.”
“We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia aims to diversify its economic diplomacy by joining BRICS and enhancing collaboration with member countries through shared initiatives and strategic partnerships.
BRICS, founded in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies, originally included Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE became members in January 2024. — October 23, 2024