This past August, the BRICS nations formally invited six new nations to join the alliance at the BRICS summit. The six countries that BRICS invited are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Argentina, Iran, and Ethiopia. However, it wasn’t an easy decision for the bloc, with China being the ultimate swayer for other BRICS nations to accept expansion.
China was arguably the biggest supporter of the expansion of BRICS. India and Brazil, on the other hand, apparently needed more convincing. There were already tensions in the bloc due to Putin’s Russia invading Ukraine. Brazil and India were inclined to postpone the enlargement. Instead, they preferred to deepen the connection among its founding members.
China, on the other hand, was all for BRICS expansion. The country wanted to further spread the influence of the group and its objectives among other countries. To convince Brazil and India to let new nations in, China had to do plenty of coddling. In particular, China’s support for the permanent membership of both countries in the UN Security Council swayed the two expansion-opposing founders.
Brazil and India were never shy about their dream to permanently sit in the UN Security Council. However, those dreams are coming closer to fruition in spite of their unwilling approval for expansion. Despite them getting something out of it, this decision may raise tensions between Brazil, India, and other nations in the future.
Also Read: BRICS Expansion is Not a Threat to the US
Ultimately, the new BRICS nations have China to thank for their invitation to the bloc this past August. It is clear that although there is no outright leader in BRICS. However, China has a strong influence in the group and will be moving forward as more countries will either join or be denied acceptance.