UAE President Expresses Appreciation for BRICS Membership

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s inclusion as a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). He described the group as important and emphasized a commitment to cooperation for global prosperity and dignity.

In a message shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), President bin Zayed praised the vision of BRICS leadership and highlighted the significance of the UAE’s inclusion in this influential group. He reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to cooperating with fellow BRICS nations for the collective prosperity, benefit, and dignity of all nations and people across the world.

We respect the vision of the BRICS leadership and appreciate the inclusion of the UAE as a member to this important group. We look forward to a continued commitment of cooperation for the prosperity, dignity and benefit of all nations and people around the world.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 24, 2023

Apart from the existing BRICS members, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, six additional countries have been welcomed into the BRICS fold. The newly added members include Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The expansion comes at a time when there is a growing effort to strengthen BRICS as a counterbalance to Western influence.

Prime Minister Modi’s Welcoming Words

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the expansion of BRICS membership. In a statement on X, PM Modi expressed India’s support for the expansion, which adds Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to the group. He believes this expansion will enhance BRICS’ strength and effectiveness.

The expanded BRICS membership is set to become effective from January 1, 2024. This expansion is notable for including six of the world’s largest oil producers and can potentially encourage other countries to align with the coalition, advocating for the interests of the “Global South.”

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While Pakistan, Argentina, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in joining BRICS, India remained cautious about the expansion. India’s reservations were rooted in concerns about diluting the alliance’s core objectives and undermining the consensus established among existing members. Despite this, the inclusion of new members marks a significant milestone in the evolution of BRICS and the dynamics of global cooperation.