South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is pictured after being re-elected as president of the African National Congress (ANC) during the 55th national conference of the ANC in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/IANS)
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will participate in the virtual meeting…reports Asian Lite News
Amid the ongoing situation in Gaza, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host the BRICS groups of nations to convene a virtual BRICS Extraordinary Joint Meeting on Monday, the South African President Office said.
In a major development, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also participate in the virtual meeting.
As per the press statement, in the meeting, the South African President will deliver an opening speech, followed by speeches from invited states and members on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Later in the meeting, a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to Gaza will be adopted.
Leaders of BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China will join the virtual Extraordinary Meeting with invited BRICS leaders of Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, said the press statement.
Israel announced war against Hamas after it launched attack on Israel on October 7 and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with around 240 people taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party often linking it to its own struggle against apartheid.
The South African government has said it will recall all diplomats from Israel to “signal” its concern over the situation in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, said on Monday that all diplomatic staff in Tel Aviv would be called to return to Pretoria for consultations, without providing further details.
Pretoria has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party often linking it to its own earlier struggle against apartheid.
China has historically been sympathetic to the Palestinians and supportive of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Beijing has been calling for an immediate ceasefire since the start of the war last month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of stoking tensions in the Middle East, and criticised Israel for its conduct in the conflict. (ANI)
Last year during the G20 Bali summit also, both Modi and Xi had exchanged pleasantries…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping could be seen having a brief interaction on the sidelines of BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Thursday.
As per a video footage of the conference, both the leaders could be seen engaging in a conversation while moving towards their designated seats.
Last year during the G20 Bali summit also, both Modi and Xi had exchanged pleasantries. However, last month the external affairs ministry had confirmed that both the leaders had not only exchanged courtesies at the G20 summit in Bali last November, but had also spoken on the need to stabilise bilateral relations.
India and China have been in a stand-off situation for the last three years and relations at all levels have deteriorated due to tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The two sides have held 19 rounds of talks so far to address the boundary issues in eastern Ladakh since 2020, post the Chinese aggression there.
In April, Lula proposed possibly creating a common regional currency or similar mechanism to reduce reliance on the US dollar in trade….reports Asian Lite News
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for creating a common trading currency for BRICS countries to counter US dollar hegemony.
Advocating the creation of a common currency for cross-border trade between BRICS nations without affecting national currencies, Lula da Silva said at the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue that an alternative to the US dollar needs to be found in the international market, Xinhua news agency reported.
The common currency would be used to facilitate trade between the emerging nations, he said on Tuesday.
“We want BRICS to be a multilateral institution, not an exclusive club,” Lula da Silva said. “We just want to organise ourselves.”
In April, he proposed possibly creating a common regional currency or similar mechanism to reduce reliance on the US dollar in trade.
Also on Tuesday, the Brazilian president announced that his government is considering the possibility of using the Chinese yuan in trade with Argentina.
“We cannot depend on a single country that has the dollar, that puts more money into circulation in dollars, and we are forced to live off the fluctuation of that currency. It’s not right,” he said.
The next wave of global growth will come from Africa, as the continent rises as a bigger player in emerging markets according to South Africa chapter of the BRICS Business Council….reports Asian Lite News
The next wave of global growth will emerge from Africa, as the continent rises as a bigger player in emerging markets. This is according to Busi Mabuza, who chairs the South Africa chapter of the BRICS Business Council.
Mabuza was speaking on Tuesday during a panel discussion on unlocking BRICS trade and investment opportunities. She told delegates that intra-BRICS trade has grown by an average annual rate of 7 percent in the past 10 years.
“These are very compelling numbers. However, the success of the BRICS formation, especially in the past 10 years is that we have now created a model for the world that moves away from the extractive approach in terms of economic engagement towards a collaborative approach where we can all benefit,” she said.
The BRICS grouping of major emerging economies – Brazil, India, China, South Africa and Russia (BRICS), is holding its summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August 2023 under the Chairship of South Africa.
In addition, she said the continent still boasts abundant resources, including human capital, especially the youth, mineral resources and others. “The next wave of global growth will come from this continent,” she stressed as quoted by the SA Government News Agency.
“It is important that we are sitting here today inviting our BRICS partners because we see that they accept and understand the multilateral approach where there’s mutual respect and all working for a win-win outcome.”
Mabuza has called on the bloc partners to participate in the industrialisation of the African continent. “This is because this is where the world needs to see the next wave of global growth.”
She also stressed the importance of Africa-intra trade and tangible cooperation and coordination.
“We need to focus on the infrastructure. We need to trade with ourselves in the continent and get services from each other,” she said, adding that people-to-people interaction was also crucial.
The chair also touched on policies such as visa agreements, which has the potential to unlock more opportunities.
The BRICS Business Council is a platform that promotes and strengthens business, trade and investment ties among the business communities of the five countries.
Contribute to Africa’s growth story
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that as the country has an urbanized population and can provide a stable workforce in future, BRICS countries have an opportunity to contribute to and participate in Africa’s growth story.
Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said, “Africa has a young digitally connecting and urbanizing population. A population that provides a stable workforce for companies in future. The investment in skills… continues to grow.”
“These factors all position Africa as the frontier of productivity and growth…And, BRICS countries have an opportunity to contribute to and participate in Africa’s growth story,” he said, as per a speech broadcast on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
“This can be achieved through greater cooperation and areas such as agriculture, the digital economy. South Africa is in an important position to grow the African market,” the South African President added.
He said that South Africa’s industrial strength and large market opportunities provide compelling opportunities for companies wanting to establish businesses here.
“..We require a fundamental reform of the global financial institutions so that they can be more agile and responsive to the challenges facing developing economies…,” Ramaphosa said at BRICS Business Forum in Johannesburg, in a speech broadcast on SABC.
“Growth in African economies would be driven by small and medium enterprises. This requires focused and effective support for these businesses. It is important that specific financing is directed also to women-owned businesses so that they can harness the benefits of their continental free trade area,” he said.
As the South African President went on to speak further at the forum, he also highlighted how the country is focussing on the empowerment of women.
“We in Africa as we seek to grow and develop, are focusing on the empowerment of the women of our continent who have been held back through years of colonialism, and in our case through the years of apartheid through protocols and laws. We need to free the women of our continent so that they can trade, be in business and to grow the economies of our various countries,” Ramaphosa added.
The Russian diplomat’s aircraft touched down at the South African Air Force facility in Waterkloof, just like on his trip to Pretoria in January….reports Asian Lite News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday landed in the South African city of Johannesburg to take part in the 15th BRICS Summit.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the summit via videoconference, Lavrov will personally represent Russia at the BRICS Summit.
The Russian diplomat’s aircraft touched down at the South African Air Force facility in Waterkloof, just like on his trip to Pretoria in January.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, will take part in the summit via videoconference. The Russian leader will brief the attendees on a variety of topics, including the goals of Russia’s association presidency in 2024.
Earlier, the South African government granted diplomatic immunity to all international participants, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country, as per local media.
“Immunity from personal arrest or detention and from seizure of their personal baggage, and, in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in their capacity as representatives, immunity from legal process of every kind,” the document reads.
A warrant for Putin’s arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague in March, and since South Africa is a member of the formation, it is obliged to arrest Putin when he is in the country. Despite this, South Africa, as the current chair of the BRICS alliance, has officially invited Putin to the summit in August.
The largest gathering of heads of state and government from the Global South in recent years will take place during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from August 22–24.
The 15th BRICS Summit’s Johannesburg Declaration will include the final agreements, according to the Kremlin press office, as reported by Russian news agency TASS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening, while the Chinese president Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva have arrived in Johannesburg.
The BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
This year’s BRICS is under the presidency of South Africa and is organising the first face-to-face summit since 2019 in Johannesburg.
South Africa became Chair of BRICS on January 1 under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.”
During his visit to South Africa, PM Modi will also participate in a special event “BRICS – Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue” being organized after the BRICS Summit, which will include other nations invited by South Africa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced in a press release. (ANI)
Bangladesh showed interest to be a member of the major emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday to attend the BRICS meeting at the invitation of South African President Matamela Cyrill Ramaphosa, Dhaka Tribune reported.
Briefing reporters about the visit, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the prime minister will attend the “BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues” on August 24 on the last day of the 15th BRICS summit, Dhaka Tribune reported.
Prime Minister Hasina’s joining the BRICS summit in South Africa has generated much interest in the five countries’ political bloc in Bangladesh.
The government also showed interest to be a member of the major emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping, Dhaka Tribune reported.
The foreign minister said earlier in June in a “Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers” presented Bangladesh’s position virtually.
“There, I called on the BRICS member countries to transfer their cost-effective technology to developing countries and to invest in the developing countries. This year we formally expressed our desire to join BRICS,” he said.
Bangladesh joined BRICS’ new development bank in 2021 as the first country outside the member states.
The foreign minister said the prime minister will attend the Bangladesh trade and business summit being organized by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangladesh Investment Development Board.
She will attend the “regional envoys conference” organized by the foreign ministry.
She will attend the dinner hosted in honour of the participating head of state and governments.
On August 24, she will attend the BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues.
She will speak as a member of the BRICS new development bank, the foreign minister said. Representatives from 70 countries will attend that dialogue.
The prime minister will also speak at a reception hosted by the expatriates of Bangladesh in the evening, Dhaka Tribune reported.
The president of the new development bank would also call on the prime minister.
Replying to a question, the foreign minister, however, said the side-line meetings with the different heads of government were yet to be fixed.
Officials earlier indicated that the prime minister might have meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.
The foreign minister said those meetings are yet to be confirmed.
“Such meetings are usually set at the last moment,” he said.
“Since it’s a short visit, and the prime minister will go to Delhi in September for G20 where there will be a chance to have a bilateral meeting with the Indian prime minister,” the foreign secretary added, Dhaka Tribune reported.
“Many African countries also requested the call on with the prime minister. We couldn’t fix it yet,” the foreign minister said.
The prime minister will leave from Johannesburg to Dhaka on August 26. (ANI)
As a founding member, India must continue to leverage the multilateral platform it has created. It would be imprudent to vacate spaces in international frameworks because of the Chinese presence….writes Sanjay Pulipaka
Very rarely, in international politics, do we see a multilateral framework evolve based on a report by an investment bank. In 2001, referring to the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the Goldman Sachs report coined the acronym BRIC. After a series of preparatory meetings, the first BRIC Summit was organised in 2009. With South Africa becoming a member in 2010, BRIC became BRICS.
In a few days, the 15th BRICS Summit will be held in South Africa and will witness in-person participation by the leaders of all member states except Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the Summit instead of President Vladimir Putin.
The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has launched a massive outreach inviting approximately 67 heads of government, mainly from Latin America and Africa, to the BRICS summit and thus far, about 50 confirmations were received. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will also be joining deliberations.
The South African government is seeking to convert the BRICS into one of the largest meetings on issues concerning the global South. On the other hand, there has been considerable discussion in the media that the Summit aims to undermine the Western and, more specifically, the US dominance in global politics.
In the run-up to the Summit, there was considerable discussion on expanding the membership of the BRICS. From the perspective of India and other developing countries, the membership expansion should be guided by sound principles and not by an intent to create a new bloc in global politics. The expansion should seek to bridge and not intensify global faultlines and should not privilege one member country over others. Making the BRICS an “anti” grouping will undermine the efforts to reform the global institutions and weaken the attempts to amplify the voices of the developing countries.
India at the BRICS summit-Exercise of Strategic Autonomy in difficult circumstances.(photo:IN)
There is a view among some South African experts that framing the Summit deliberations only through the lens of global faultlines will shift the focus away from the needs of Africa, Latin America and other developing countries. They point out that the theme of the Summit – ‘BRICS and Africa’ – was conceptualised to facilitate discussion on ‘partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism.’ There is an expectation that BRICS should strive to boost investments, trade and create value chains in Africa by utilising its natural resources, particularly in mining and raw materials.
There were suggestions that the BRICS should develop a common currency. However, such a step would require creating a new central bank involving member states and greater coordination of the existing national central banks. Unlike the Euro area, the BRICS countries have varied political systems. There is also significant variation in the autonomy/transparency mechanisms governing the functioning of the central banks of BRICS countries. Therefore, BRICS common currency project is fraught with numerous challenges, which may undermine the financial autonomy of the developing countries. Moreover, countries such as India are trying to increase the international usage of their national currency.
Instead, deliberations should focus on increasing the activities of the existing BRICS institutions, such as the New Development Bank (NDB). Reports show that in nearly a decade, the NDB ‘has approved only $33 billion of loans.” There are suggestions that NDB should do more to protect member countries from foreign exchange fluctuations, raise capital, and increase lending in multiple currencies.
Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 25, 2018. (Photo: IANS/MEA)
Over the years, India proactively participated in the deliberations, activities and also defined the agenda of the BRICS. As the BRICS Chair in 2021, India reiterated the importance of reforming the multilateral system. In 2016, it was under the India chairship that the first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was organised. Under the rubric of the BRICS National Security Advisors’ Meeting, India is working to scale up cooperation to contain transnational organised crime, improve cyber security, and work toward peace and stability in the international system.
India has been leveraging the BRICS framework to scale up cooperation in socio-economic realms. In addition to the BRICS TB Research Network Initiative, India has promised to work with BRICS countries in developing digital health innovations, healthcare service delivery and integrated early warning systems to mitigate future health crises. During the pandemic, India supplied vaccines to Brazil and South Africa. India firm in collaboration with Russian Direct Investment Fund manufactured Sputnik V vaccines. Further, India has collaborated with BRICS countries to ‘setup a network of genomic surveillance and study the overlap of SARS-CoV-2 with tuberculosis.’
To promote financial inclusion, India expressed its willingness to jointly develop innovative and inclusive digital/technological tools that suit local economies. To increase the yields and incomes of smaller farmers, India has launched the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP) by providing the latest technologies. In tune with BRICS’ emphasis on cooperation on disaster resilience, the Indian government launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), in 2019, at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. Further, through India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, Delhi is implementing development projects and working for women’s empowerment in developing countries.
Given that China is an important member of the BRICS, there are concerns about whether India should increase its engagement with the grouping. It is indeed true that India-China relations have experienced severe stress in the recent past. India has responded to the aggressive tactics of China in the Galwan Valley and initiated measures to reduce economic dependence in the long run. As a founding member, India must continue to leverage the multilateral platform it has created. It would be imprudent to vacate spaces in international frameworks because of the Chinese presence. On the other hand, India should work to ensure that multilateral frameworks function in a transparent manner, ensure equitable outcomes and promote rules-based international order. Such an approach will not only reduce space for aggressive actions but will also prevent the emergence of blocs that undermine peace in the global system. It is in the interest of liberal democracies worldwide that India scales up its engagement with the BRICS.
As many as 19 countries have expressed interest in membership of BRICS, 13 of them formally and 6 countries informally….reports Asian Lite News
India may press for the establishment of a well-defined criteria for the proposed addition of new members to the BRICS grouping of emerging nations, instead of extending membership solely on the basis of recommendations by present members, as Sherpas meet in Durban this week to decide on the crucial issue ahead of the BRICS Summit next month.
The BRICS grouping is not only an expression of multipolarity but of the many ways of meeting international challenges, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said, asserting that the five-nation bloc is an “established feature” of the global landscape.
“BRICS is no longer an ‘alternative’, it is an established feature of the global landscape,” he tweeted. He said the five-nation grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is not only an expression of multipolarity but of the many and diverse ways of meeting international challenges.
“Its (BRICS) focus is on building a fairer, inclusive and open international architecture with sustainable development at its core. Creating resilient and reliable supply chains is central to ensuring that no one is left behind,” he tweeted. Jaishankar said the ‘Friends of BRICS’ strongly support the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Addressing the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Jaishankar stated that the message of reform that Brics embodies must permeate the world of multilateralism.
The BRICS Sherpas, in their three-day meeting starting Tuesday, will try to come to an understanding on whether there needs to be an immediate expansion of the grouping and, if yes, how many new members should be accommodated and how are they to be selected, Businessline reported quoting sources.
As many as 19 countries have expressed interest in membership of BRICS, 13 of them formally and 6 countries informally. The interested countries include Argentina, Nigeria, Algeria, Indonesia, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
“If BRICS nations decide on taking in new members, India would want formulation of well-established criteria for qualification. Once the criteria is in place, some eligibility condition could be mutually decided, for instance meeting of three out of five stated criteria,” a source tracking the matter told Businessline.
BRICS nations, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, now form one of the world’s most important economic blocs, representing more than one quarter of global GDP, and 42 per cent of the world’s population, according to an UNCTAD report.
It was China which first proposed the expansion last year when it chaired the group, and many interpret the development as the country’s move towards expanding its sphere of influence by getting in more “like-minded” countries.
“As there are so many countries interested in membership, it is important that they are evaluated fairly. For that there must be some criteria which could be jointly determined such as GDP, population size or any other relevant parameter,” the source said.
Some existing members are pushing the candidature of certain applicants, like Brazil rooting for Argentina and China and Russia putting their weight behind Saudi Arabia. “While it is important that the new members that are admitted to the grouping should have the acceptance of all members, some amount of objectivity needs to be there in the process of selection. For instance, when South Africa qualified as a member, why should Nigeria, a bigger economy, be out of it?,” another source noted.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted that the BRICS gathering must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, is rebalancing, and that old ways cannot address new situations, reports Ateet Sharma
Delivering on its promise of voicing the concerns of the developing countries in international forums, India has urged fellow BRICS nations, including Russia, China and South Africa, to approach key contemporary issues seriously, constructively and collectively.
Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting.
Amplifying the voice of the Global South at Thursday’s BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted that the gathering must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, is rebalancing, and that old ways cannot address new situations.
“This responsibility is even greater as we contemplate the devastating after effects of the Covid pandemic, the stresses arising from conflict, and the economic distress of the Global South. They underline the deep shortcomings of the current international architecture which does not reflect today’s politics, economics, demographics or indeed aspirations,” said Jaishankar.
India has been hailed as a leader among developing countries, a strong development partner and a major proponent of South-South cooperation by several nations from the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
Last month, during the third Forum for India–Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit held at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, the Pacific island countries promised to rally behind India’s leadership at various global forums saying that they are “victims of global powerplay” and see India as their flag bearer on the global stage.
“You are the voice that can offer our issues at the highest as advanced economies discuss matters relating to economy, commerce, trade and geopolitics. We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies,” said PNG Prime Minister James Marape as PM Narendra Modi listened intently.
In Cape Town on Thursday, Jaishankar once again took forward the message from developing countries, saying that the recent experiences impacting health, energy and food security have exposed the fragility because economic concentration that leaves too many nations at the mercy of too few remains at the heart of all problems.
“India undertook the Voice of the Global South exercise to place these issues before the G20. We urge that BRICS give it particular consideration and promote the economic decentralization that is so essential to political democratization,” he said in his opening remarks at the meeting.
New Delhi has long been spotlighting the pressing need for reforms in the global governance multilateral architecture, including the long-standing reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“For two decades, we have heard calls for reform of multilateral institutions, only to be continuously disappointed. It is therefore, imperative that BRICS Members demonstrate sincerity in regard to reforming global decision making, including that of the UN Security Council,” remarked Jaishankar.
The Joint Statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges.
India’s efforts to drive South-South cooperation and build a truly multipolar world order which is more responsive to the aspirations of developing countries will only increase in the coming weeks as it hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in September.
At the very beginning of its ongoing G20 Presidency, PM Modi made it clear that it will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented with a focus on collective action and keeping up with its Presidency motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and the theme ‘One Earth. One Family. One Future’.
