It is not mere expansion, but the character of the expansion which will guide the five Brics countries on whether they admit new members.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the 14th BRICS Summit via video link in Beijing. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit.
Li Tao/Xinhua via Getty Images
Geopolitics is forcing BRICS countries to balance respect for international law, self-determination, sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes with their friendly relations with Russia.
The New Development Bank has not been forthcoming with information on its funding of South Africa’s Medupi power station.
Getty Images
The 10th BRICS Summit delivered a mixed bag when judged on what it said on key issues, like global governance and trade.
China’s President Xi Jinping and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected to push for stronger ties at the 10th BRICS Summit.
EPA/Phil Magakoe
With international trade facing its greatest threat in decades, this club of China, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and India will have much to say about it.
Brazilian President Temer, Russian President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Africa’s President Zuma and Indian Prime Minister Modi.
Reuters/Kenzaburo Fukuhara
The promise of BRICS was that it would usher in a new approach to development. But after meeting annually for the last nine years there’s no sign that the old order has been challenged.
Two men sit at the roadside in the hope of being offered work. South Africa’s unemployment is moving towards 30%.
EPA/NIC BOTHMA
The idea that South Africa must look towards the International Monetary Fund to rescue itself from the prevailing crisis must be dismissed.
Brazil’s President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma.
Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
Despite financial crises and political differences among these five emerging economies, the BRICS coalition is here to stay. And it may just change the world.
What the increased ties between Russia, India, China and Brazil mean for Africa remains unclear.
Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin
The strategy of Brazil, Russia, India and China towards African development seems to be muddled with selfish national interests. Their focus is on areas critical to the growth of their economies.