Saudi state TV said on Tuesday that the kingdom had officially joined the BRICS bloc of countries. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister had said in August the kingdom would study the details before the proposed Jan. 1 joining date and take “the appropriate decision”.
Quick Read
- Saudi Arabia Joins BRICS: Saudi state TV announced that Saudi Arabia has officially joined the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- Foreign Minister’s Statement: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, had previously indicated that the kingdom would carefully consider joining BRICS before the proposed January 1 joining date.
- BRICS Bloc Expansion: With Saudi Arabia’s entry, BRICS is set to double in size, also welcoming the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia as new members.
- Geopolitical Context: Saudi Arabia’s decision to join BRICS comes amidst growing tensions between the U.S. and China, and the increasing influence of China within the kingdom.
- Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Shift: While maintaining strong ties with the U.S., Saudi Arabia is pursuing an independent path, partly due to perceptions of decreased U.S. commitment to Gulf security.
- China’s Role in BRICS Expansion: China, as Saudi Arabia’s largest oil customer, has been a proponent of expanding BRICS to counterbalance Western influence.
- Global South Representation: The expansion of BRICS may enhance its role as a voice for the Global South, although Argentina has indicated it will not join the bloc despite an invitation.
Reuters has the story:
Saudi Arabia officially joins BRICS bloc – State TV says
Newslooks- DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters)
Saudi state TV said on Tuesday that the kingdom had officially joined the BRICS bloc of countries. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister had said in August the kingdom would study the details before the proposed Jan. 1 joining date and take “the appropriate decision”.
The BRICs bloc previously included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but is set to double with Saudi Arabia joining the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia as new members.
Saudi Arabia’s entry comes amid geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, and the expansion of China’s influence within the kingdom.
Despite continued strong ties with the U.S., Saudi Arabia has increasingly pursued its own path out of concern that Washington is less committed to the Gulf’s security than in the past.
China, Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil customer, has led calls for the BRICs to expand to become a counterweight to the West.
The expansion could amplify the group’s declared ambition to become a champion of the Global South, although Argentina signalled in November it would not take up an invitation to join.
