The 14th BRICS Summit and Pakistan
THE Leaders of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of South Africa held the XIV BRICS Summit under the theme “Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development” on 23-24 June 2022, in China.
Pakistan has congratulated China for the successful hosting of the Summit. Currently, BRICS countries represent 40% of the world population, account for 25% of the global economy and 18% of world trade, and contribute 50% to the world’s economic growth.
It is an important platform and carries heavy weight in the global economy. A few non-member States were also invited to attend the summit.
President Abdel Madjid Tebboune of Algeria, President Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia, Prime Minister JosaiaVoreqe Bainimarama of Fiji, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of Malaysia, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand attended the Dialogue.
However, Pakistan was not invited. Pakistan being an emotional nation, has been criticizing it. Some blame China, and a few others blame India.
Under this scenario, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified the position in its press release as below:- “Responding to media queries about a ‘High-level Dialogue on Global Development’ held virtually on sidelines of the BRICS meetings, the Spokesperson stated the following: Pakistan congratulates China on the successful hosting of the BRICS meetings.
We have noted that this year a “High-level Dialogue on Global Development” was held as a BRICS side event in which a number of developing/emerging economies were invited.
China is the host country engaged with Pakistan prior to the BRICS meetings, where decisions are taken after consultations with all BRICS members, including extending the invitation to non-members.
Regrettably, one member blocked Pakistan’s participation. However, we do hope that future engagement of the organization would be based on the principles of inclusivity keeping in view the overall interests of the developing world and in a manner that is devoid of narrow geopolitical considerations.
We appreciate China’s role in promoting the interests of developing countries. Together with China, Pakistan has been a strong voice for global peace, shared prosperity and inclusive development.
Pakistan is the current chair of G77+China and is also part of the group of friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners and our iron brotherhood remains rock solid.
The two countries are fully committed to taking our all-around cooperation to higher levels both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Pakistan stands ready to work with all developing countries, including the BRICS members for addressing the challenges faced by the global community.
” Iran and Argentina have already applied to join BRICS. Prior to the summit, Saudi Arabia has also shown interest in BRICS.
It is the right time for Pakistan to apply for its membership. Four out of five, founding members are Pakistan’s friends and Pakistan can convince the fifth one – India.
Definitely, it will be an uphill task, and India is expected to oppose it. But, our competent diplomats can convince all five members. It might be a tough task, but not impossible.
In responding to Iran and Argentina’s applications to BRICS, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a press conference on Tuesday that since its establishment, the destiny of BRICS and new emerging and developing countries have been closely interwoven.
China, with this year’s BRICS’ chairmanship, actively supports the mechanism’s expansion. At the BRICS summit on 23 June, leaders of the BRICS countries also agreed to discuss the standards and procedures to expand the family.
Feng Xingke, Secretary-General of the World Financial Forum and director of the Centre for BRICS and Global Governance told the Global Times that apart from Iran and Argentina which had previously expressed willingness to join BRICS, more and more countries have also shown interest in joining the mechanism, which demonstrates the allure BRICS has for new emerging countries as a system to seek common ground for development.
It is believed that we are to be blamed for this incident.We need to keep our house in order, instead of fighting with each other on the basis of sect, political affiliation, language, ethnicity, etc., we should focus on nation-building.
Instead of nepotism, we need to observe merit. Instead of personalities, we should strengthen institutions and rule of law.
Instead of protests, agitations, damaging public properties, and setting on fire, we must struggle to fight against poverty, ignorance, extremism, and terrorism.
Political stability and people-friendly policies will provide the enabling environment, where each individual can contribute toward nation-building and development.
Pakistan is not a poor nation, it is rather poorly managed.We must blame ourselves for all wrongdoings and then we can improve.
Allah is very kind to us and has blessed us with immense natural resources, an excellent climate, and land for agriculture, rich mines and minerals as raw material for industry.
A strong, hardworking, young workforce.We must utilize our energies positively for nation-building.
Instead of blaming politicians, we must realize that we should use our vote in a positive manner and elect only the right people to represent us in the National Assembly or Provincial Assemblies.
We should elect, competent people, who can understand our real issues and formulate policies and legislation to address the common man’s concerns.
We must vote for honest, loyal and sincere people. Have we done justice with our vote? Have we elected the right candidate in the election?
Ensure that each one of us has an individual responsibility to use the power of the vote to ensure that our destiny is decided by honest, loyal, personal – legislation and policies.
Once Pakistan is developed and reached a certain level of the economy, our respect in the international community will be restored.
Our passports will be respected and visas will be convenient. Many nations will extend hands of friendship toward us.
Importance, respect and friendship are earned through the hard work and uninterrupted struggle.
It is not given to anyone on a plate conveniently. Let’s promise to struggle to restore our lost status among the nations and regain respect and importance once again.
—The writer is Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Centre for China and Globalization).
