Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry expressed his country’s ambition to join the BRICS grouping on Monday, stating that the coalition has significantly improved since India became an integral part of it. Highlighting India’s influential role within BRICS, Sabry indicated that Sri Lanka’s first approach for support would be directed towards India once the island nation formally decides to apply for BRICS membership.
“We are quite eager regarding BRICS. Our cabinet has even set up a sub-committee dedicated to examining the possibilities and providing their recommendations. BRICS would offer us multiple avenues, and who wouldn’t want a variety of options? The group has become significantly more attractive since India joined,” Sabry expressed during an interview with ANI.
Sabry shed light on the steps Sri Lanka intends to take, emphasizing India’s pivotal position. “India will be the primary country we reach out to for support regarding our BRICS membership. I’ve also received an invitation to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Russia. I aim to attend, and we will evaluate our prospects there. From a personal standpoint, taking BRICS membership seriously is a prudent approach for Sri Lanka,” he added.
With Russia assuming the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024, the intergovernmental organization now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The expansion of BRICS, incorporating countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, underscores the growing prominence and global influence of the association.
In response to whether Sri Lanka anticipates any high-level visits from India, Minister Sabry noted that the Sri Lankan President had recently visited India, and now Sri Lanka looks forward to hosting the Indian Prime Minister alongside a high-level delegation.
“We eagerly await the visit of the Indian Prime Minister when conditions are favorable because my President recently visited India. It is now our turn to reciprocate. We envision a high-level delegation accompanied by a robust business contingent, which will further fortify our excellent relationship, currently standing at an all-time high,” Sabry stated.
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At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe made an official visit to India on July 21, 2023. This marked President Wickremesinghe’s inaugural visit to India in his current role. During his stay, President Wickremesinghe met with President Droupadi Murmu and engaged in extensive discussions with Prime Minister Modi and other Indian officials on a variety of issues of mutual concern.
Sri Lanka holds a vital position within India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. President Wickremesinghe’s visit further solidified the longstanding friendly relationship between the two neighboring countries. The leaders explored numerous opportunities to enhance connectivity and foster cooperative ventures across various sectors.
The discussions and engagements from this visit echoed the deepening strategic partnership and a mutual commitment to addressing shared challenges. Additionally, there was an emphasis on strengthening economic cooperation, maritime security, and regional stability.
As Sri Lanka intensifies its aspirations to join BRICS, the focus will be on leveraging the strength of its relationships with current members, particularly India. With the endorsements and support from these powerful economies, Sri Lanka hopes to carve out a more significant role on the international stage. The anticipated visits and high-level exchanges underscore a phase of heightened diplomatic activity aimed at solidifying regional alliances and expanding Sri Lanka’s diplomatic reach.
The momentum surrounding these developments signifies a crucial period for Sri Lanka in its journey towards joining BRICS. The efforts to seek support from India reflect a strategic move, acknowledging India’s influential role within the grouping and its longstanding camaraderie with Sri Lanka. As these discussions progress, the world will keenly watch to see how these diplomatic endeavors reshape regional balances and contribute to global economic dynamics.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s enthusiasm for BRICS membership, coupled with its strategic outreach to India, highlights a significant chapter in its diplomatic agenda. By fostering robust alliances and emphasizing multilateral cooperation, Sri Lanka aims to position itself as a key player within this influential international consortium.
