BRICS Summit in Johannesburg: Expanding Bloc’s Future and Potential New Members

BRICS leaders have gathered in Johannesburg for a summit aimed at shaping the future direction of the bloc and potentially expanding its membership. The group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is looking to boost its global clout and act as a counterweight to Western dominance. However, divisions within the bloc have become apparent, with differing visions and views on the group’s role in the global order. China’s President Xi Jinping, who did not attend the summit, emphasized the importance of the choices made by the leaders for shaping history. Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, attending virtually, spoke about the “irreversible process of de-dollarization.” The issue of expanding BRICS membership is also a point of contention, with China and Russia pushing for it while India remains cautious. Over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, and nearly two dozen have formally applied, according to South African officials.