Sri Lanka Seeks BRICS Membership Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Sri Lanka is set to officially request entry into BRICS at an upcoming outreach summit in Kazan, Russia. The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath during an interaction with the Colombo-based diplomatic corps. While both the minister and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be unable to attend the summit due to parliamentary elections, Sri Lanka’s secretary of foreign affairs will represent the country and submit its membership application.

In his remarks, Herath highlighted the strategic importance of BRICS as a platform for fostering mutual cooperation, peace, and development, aligning with the principles of the United Nations Charter. The minister also mentioned that support letters had already been sent to representatives from existing BRICS member nations, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to developing closer ties within this multilateral grouping.

Experts believe that the move reflects the growing appeal of BRICS among developing countries, particularly in light of a sluggish global economy. They view this latest bid as a strategic maneuver by Sri Lanka to capitalize on new economic opportunities and collaborative efforts. Additional nations, including Malaysia, Belarus, and Pakistan, have also submitted their applications. This steady expansion of the BRICS alliance is seen as a vital boost to the development and economic cooperation of the Global South, offering an alternative pathway to reliance on traditional support from developed nations.

Russia officially took over the BRICS presidency at the beginning of 2024, with a series of events planned throughout the year, culminating in the main summit in Kazan in October. This demonstrates the bloc’s continued commitment to expanding and reinforcing its role as a key player in global economic and political arenas.