BRICS Leaders' Meeting; Internal Disputes Cast Shadow Over Johannesburg Summit

Leaders of the five BRICS member countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - gathered in Johannesburg on Tuesday to discuss the expansion of this bloc. Some members are attempting to turn it into a counterweight against the West. The intensification of global tensions due to the Ukraine war and the increasing competition between China and the United States has expedited efforts to strengthen BRICS. However, the members are facing internal disputes and a lack of a coherent vision. According to Reuters, the President of South Africa hosted a formal visit from Xi Jinping, the President of China and a key supporter of BRICS expansion, before the arrival of other leaders on Tuesday morning. The South African President, sitting next to Xi, stated that the two countries have 'similar views' regarding the development of BRICS. He elaborated that BRICS is an 'important' forum for 'reforming global governance and promoting multilateralism and cooperation worldwide.' Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from Brazil and Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, are also present at the summit from August 22 to 24. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who is being pursued under an international arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine, will not travel to South Africa and will instead participate virtually in the BRICS leaders' meeting. Beyond the discussion of BRICS expansion, strengthening the use of member countries' national currencies in foreign trade is also on the agenda. However, the organizers of the summit in South Africa state that there is no discussion about a 'BRICS currency.' This idea was proposed by Brazil earlier this year as an alternative to dependence on the dollar. Reports have previously indicated that Iran has expressed interest in joining BRICS. Both Iran and Russia are under severe international sanctions. Iran sells its sanctioned oil at a discount to China, a BRICS member. Agreement with South Africa; Putin will not attend the BRICS summit. The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting; Iran and Saudi Arabia are waiting to join this bloc. The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa. The mysterious one-month absence has cost 'Qin Gang' his position; the Chinese foreign minister has been dismissed.