Sri Lanka’s bid for membership of BRICS appears to be attracting formidable opposition from one of its neighbours in the region, the Sri Lanka Guardian reports.
The Guardian suggests that a founding member of BRICS has raised objections to Sri Lanka’s bid for membership in the influential economic alliance, potentially disrupting the island nation’s diplomatic aspirations. Sources within the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly revealed that efforts to join BRICS have encountered significant opposition from this neighbouring state.
The Guardian cited a diplomatic source based in Colombo, who said that the neighbouring country has been actively lobbying against Sri Lanka’s entry into BRICS. The source cited a similar situation in the past when a former Prime Minister opposed Sri Lanka’s bid to join ASEAN, citing geographical and ethnic disparities.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia, Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage, reiterated the country’s desire to join BRICS+ – an expanded partnership beyond the original BRICS members – during the XII International Meeting of High Representatives in Charge of Security Issues in St. Petersburg, Russia.
