ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has once again sought Russia’s support for its bid to join BRICS, as both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. This development came during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and a Russian parliamentary delegation led by Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, according to a statement released by the President’s Secretariat on Monday.
During the meeting, President Zardari requested Russia’s backing for Pakistan’s BRICS membership, noting that such membership would enhance Pakistan’s role in regional and global cooperation within the alliance. Pakistan had formally applied for BRICS membership in November of the previous year.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, at a recent media briefing, highlighted that Pakistan was not invited to the recent BRICS meeting, stating, “Pakistan is not a BRICS member. As a developing nation and a strong advocate of inclusive multilateralism, Pakistan believes it could contribute meaningfully to the grouping.” She added that joining BRICS would enable Pakistan to play a significant role in promoting global cooperation and inclusive multilateralism.
BRICS is an alliance of major emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Last year, the group extended invitations to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to reshape a world order it views as outdated.
Bilateral Relations
In the discussions between President Zardari and the Russian delegation, both sides expressed a strong commitment to enhancing ties in trade, investment, agriculture, and energy sectors for mutual benefit.
The official statement noted a shared emphasis on expanding trade and economic cooperation, while enhancing regional connectivity through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the North-South Transport Corridor.
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