Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath announced that Sri Lanka plans to pursue membership in the BRICS economic bloc at an upcoming meeting in Russia later this month. He stated during a media briefing following the Cabinet meeting that “Sri Lanka has been invited to the BRICS meeting later this month and we expect to seek membership”
Herath also noted that discussions about Sri Lanka’s ambitions for BRICS membership took place with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar during his recent visit to Colombo. The move to join BRICS aligns with a decision made by the previous administration, which had already approved the initiative to join this influential group of major economies, including China, India, and Brazil
Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS is a significant intergovernmental organization focused on enhancing economic cooperation among emerging market nations. This year, the bloc has expanded to include four new members: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE. Sri Lanka’s potential inclusion would represent a strategic advancement in its economic relations with key global players and facilitate greater integration into international economic frameworks
The pursuit of BRICS membership reflects Sri Lanka’s broader strategy to diversify its economic partnerships and enhance its geopolitical standing. By joining BRICS, Sri Lanka aims to strengthen its economic security and reduce reliance on traditional Western markets, which have considerable influence over its domestic politics
