BRICS should not be considered a ‘platform of geopolitics'

Bangladesh thinks BRICS, the group of major emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — should not be considered a "platform of geopolitics", but a supportive platform for emerging economies to help developing countries.

"The developed countries should be happy that the BRICS emerging countries, who have resources, would like to help developing countries," Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told journalists at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit 2023.

The briefing was arranged to highlight PM Hasina's engagements at the BRICS Summit.

Dr. Momen said it should be win-win for all the countries though some people speak more about the geopolitical tension for some reason.

The BRICS will hold its 15th heads of state and government summit in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24.

Momen, however, said the countries of the Global South are facing difficulties as many banks were expelled from the SWIFT, a bank messaging system for transacting dollars.

"Many speak about de-dollarisation, but it is not easy. We don't have much to comment on this," he said.

"So, if the emerging countries support us with funding, the developed countries should be happy. In that case, their responsibilities will be shared. None is their enemy," Momen added.

Indian Prime Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the global leaders who are travelling to South Africa this week for the BRICS Summit.

India and China are two core members of the BRICS nations, which also include Brazil, Russia and South Africa.