Leaders of the five-nation group known as BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – kick off a three-day summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday, where they discuss expanding the ambition-fuelling club to become a geopolitical alternative to Western-led forums like the Group of 7.
The latest gathering of leaders has sparked international interest rarely seen since the group was founded 14 years ago.
A trade war between Beijing and Washington and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have reignited debate over whether the bloc will remain a loose trade alliance or become a new international coalition. Dozens of countries have expressed interest in joining, including Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Belarus, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. The candidates are as diverse as the BRICS bloc, which accounts for 40% of the world’s population and a quarter of its economy.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping paid a state visit with President Cyril Ramaphosa to Pretoria and was then due to travel to Johannesburg for the summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg in the afternoon, The Times of India reported. Russian President Vladimir V. Putin will appear virtually, to avoid an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity committed during the war in Ukraine.
Xi met Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings, the seat of the presidency in the administrative capital Pretoria. During the official visit, Xi inspected an honor guard and shook hands with a row of ministers as cannon fire rang out, announcing the official visit. The two leaders then held a short press conference, reiterating their long-standing political and economic ties, but took no questions.
In Mr Putin’s absence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov headed the country’s delegation. After shaking hands with a row of officials on his arrival, Mr. Lavrov joined a group of traditional dancers. After a few uncertain steps, he clapped for a few beats before giving a thumbs up and walking away.
China, the group’s largest economy, is favoring expansion to bolster its own influence, while an isolated Russia needs new allies as it engages in a protracted war in Ukraine. India and Brazil, with strong alliances between industrialized countries, favor a more cautious approach. South Africa, the smallest economy in the group, is striving for more African members and has invited over 30 African leaders to join this year’s meeting.
The diplomatic challenges South Africa faced during the summit reflect the geopolitical interests that BRICS nations must balance – especially smaller countries that must navigate their allegiances to wealthier and more powerful nations.
Mr Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, which accuses him of being responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children and their deportation to Russia. He had planned to attend in person, but spared South Africa the dilemma whether to stop it deciding to appear virtually. Despite this, South Africa continued to face pressure from its Western allies due to its close ties to the Kremlin.
In a show of neutrality, Ramaphosa called for the return of abducted Ukrainian children and the reinstatement of the Black Sea Grains Agreement, which allowed Ukraine to export grain to the world, especially to African countries suffering from food shortages.
“We have resisted pressure to align ourselves with any of the world powers or influential blocs of nations,” he said in a televised address on Sunday.
