The South African President will officially kick off a summit with the leaders of the other BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) on Tuesday. They will deliberate on whether to increase membership in light of the fact that some members want to turn the bloc into a counterweight to the West.
The rising competition between China and the United States, as well as the global tensions caused by the conflict in Ukraine, have increased the urgency of efforts to fortify the bloc. There have been times when the group has been divided and unable to agree on a single direction.
An additional goal is to increase the circulation of national currencies within the member states. The idea of a BRICS currency, proposed by Brazil earlier this year as an alternative to dollar dependence, will not be discussed at the summit, according to the organizers in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa will host Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from August 22 to August 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not physically attend the summit in South Africa but will instead participate virtually. Putin is wanted on an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
China, the bloc’s dominant member, has long sought expansion in the hopes that a larger membership will give the bloc more influence.
Russia wants to join new organizations to reduce the diplomatic pressure it has been under since its invasion of Ukraine. South Africa has added its voice of approval.
India is concerned about Chinese dominance and has warned against hasty growth. Meanwhile, Brazil is worried that the group’s expansion will dilute its influence.
South African officials claim that over 40 nations have expressed an interest in joining the BRICS. About half of them have formally requested entry.
