BRICS member India is unhappy with Russia’s recent antics of cementing ties with Pakistan. India and Pakistan remain at loggerheads for decades and avoid initiating business deals or interactions with each other, unless necessary. However, Pakistan has formally applied to join BRICS and is now seeking Russia’s assistance to be inducted into the bloc. The move is seen as disadvantageous to India as the Modi-led government does not want to share the stage with Pakistan.
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Russia is actively supporting Pakistan and recently started a batch of direct flights from Moscow to Islamabad and vice-versa. If starting direct flights wasn’t enough, Russia and Pakistan’s relations went a step ahead after Islamabad purchased oil from Moscow in June 2023.
BRICS member Russia sold Pakistan 45,000 tonnes of crude oil and the trade was initiated despite the US pressing sanctions. To avoid sanctions, Pakistan paid the Chinese Yuan for oil settlement with Russia and broke away from the US dollar.
The development helped cement ties between Russia and Pakistan and BRICS nation India is unhappy with the move. Read here to know how many sectors in the US will be affected if BRICS stops using the dollar for global trade.
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BRICS: India Might Oppose Pakistan’s Entry, But Russia and China Could Support
India could staunchly oppose Pakistan’s induction in BRICS as the two countries do not share friendly relations. However, BRICS nations Russia and China might support Pakistan’s entry and provide them a place in the alliance. The next round of selection process could be made in 2024 and Pakistan is in line to be a part of the grouping.
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Cracks could emerge in BRICS if Pakistan receives an invitation and India could show displeasure with the decision. Therefore, BRICS could be broken even before they plan to take off and challenge the West and the US dollar. A divided alliance cannot do damage to the US dollar as they would be busy infighting among themselves.