Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has expressed his country’s keen interest in joining the BRICS grouping, saying that Sri Lanka would first reach out to India when it formally applies to join BRICS.
“We look forward to joining BRICS. The cabinet has appointed a sub-committee to explore this and provide recommendations. We believe BRICS is a valuable organization, especially with India’s participation,” Sabry said in an interview with ANI.
“Our first approach will be to India, seeking its support for our BRICS membership. I have also been invited to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Russia, and I hope to attend. Personally, I believe we should seriously consider BRICS,” he added.
When asked about potential high-level visits from India, Sabry mentioned that the Sri Lankan president recently visited India, and they are now looking to host the Indian Prime Minister and a high-level delegation in Sri Lanka.
“We are eager to welcome the Indian Prime Minister as soon as possible, when circumstances permit, since our president visited India last year. It is now the Indian Prime Minister’s turn to visit Sri Lanka,” he said.
“We hope for a high-level delegation, including a powerful business contingent, to accompany the honorable Prime Minister to Sri Lanka in the near future, further strengthening our relationship, which is currently at an all-time high,” he added.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India on an official visit on July 21, 2023, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was President Wickremesinghe’s first visit to India since assuming office.
Although India and Sri Lanka generally enjoy good relations, recent reports have suggested that India may not be in favour of Sri Lanka joining BRICS.
India’s stance on Sri Lanka’s bid to join the BRICS grouping reflects a complex interplay of regional politics, strategic interests, and economic considerations. Analysts say India’s strategic concerns play a significant role. Sri Lanka’s growing economic and military ties with China, a key member of BRICS, have raised apprehensions in India. India’s strategic community views China’s increasing influence in Sri Lanka as a potential threat to its own security and regional dominance. Supporting Sri Lanka’s entry into BRICS might be seen as facilitating a greater Chinese foothold in India’s backyard, complicating India’s geopolitical calculations.
Second, India’s position within BRICS and its own strategic objectives could influence its decision. As a major emerging economy within the grouping, India aims to balance its relationships with other BRICS members, especially Russia and China, while safeguarding its own interests. Supporting Sri Lanka’s bid might not align with India’s broader strategic goals within the group.
Lastly, India’s economic and political priorities also play a role. India may prioritise internal economic reforms and strengthening its position within existing international frameworks over expanding BRICS membership.
Read more: Sri Lanka’s BRICS bid may be in jeopardy
