Johannesburg played host to the 15th BRICS Summit, a gathering that spotlighted the concerted efforts of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in fostering collaboration among these pivotal emerging economies. The summit, which materialized as an in-person meeting of BRICS leaders for the first time since 2019, underscored the paramount importance of addressing shared global concerns in a collective manner.
Among the esteemed attendees were Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signifying the momentousness of the occasion. Prime Minister Modi used his platform to highlight the summit’s significance in addressing issues that are central to the Global South and fundamental developmental matters.
A notable aspect was Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of his active engagement in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue events. This announcement underlined the intention to broaden interactions beyond the core BRICS circle. The inclusion of guest countries offered a wider canvas for discussing the nuances of global challenges and the imperative of development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s presence in Johannesburg accentuated China’s heightened involvement in the realm of international affairs. Interestingly, Xi’s alteration of plans – opting out of a business forum and delegating the task to the Chinese Commerce Minister – gave rise to inquiries regarding the rationale behind this decision. Notably, African nations directed their appeal to China, urging a shift in focus from infrastructure development to local industrialization, aligning with the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The eminent leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, resonated on the pivotal role of BRICS in nurturing collaboration among the bloc of developing nations. President Ramaphosa eloquently articulated the urgency for reform within global financial institutions, to render them more attuned to the intricate challenges faced by developing economies. On the same note, Brazilian President Lula da Silva clarified BRICS’ fundamental objective – organizing the collective voice of the Global South, rather than challenging established powers such as the United States and the G7 economies.
A subject of animated discourse during the summit was the potential enlargement of the BRICS consortium. This prospect was driven by China and Russia’s aspirations to counterbalance the influence of Western powers amidst escalating global tensions. South African President Ramaphosa echoed this sentiment by expressing active support for the expansion of BRICS, revealing that over 20 nations, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Egypt included, had formally expressed their intent to join.
President Xi Jinping utilized the platform to advocate for a more robust collaboration between China and South Africa, aimed at amplifying their influence on the international stage, particularly within the Global South. Emphasizing the partnership and pursuit of justice in global affairs, Xi fervently backed South Africa’s amplified role in the G20.
Lastly, Prime Minister Modi seized the opportunity to underscore India’s rapid economic growth trajectory, projecting the nation’s ascent to a formidable $5 trillion economy in the foreseeable future. As a collective force, the BRICS nations dedicated themselves to fortifying cooperation to effectively address economic challenges and heighten their joint impact on the global arena.