WHO COULD BE NEXT TO JOIN THE BRICS?
In line with this, analysts CNA spoke to stated they see a number of different Southeast Asian nations probably throwing their hats into the ring to be a part of the BRICS bloc – particularly Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
“The subsequent three Southeast Asian contenders for the BRICS partnership are Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. All three international locations have shut ties with each Russia and China and are looking for monetary help from the BRICS financial institution,” stated Dr Ian Storey, referring to the NDB.
Jamil stated Myanmar has formally utilized for BRICS membership, viewing the bloc as a platform to mitigate the affect of worldwide sanctions and search financial diversification past its dependence on China.
But he warned that the nation – besieged by a civil struggle since 2021 – might wrestle to affix the bloc.
“Myanmar’s inner political scenario and tough worldwide place might pose a problem to its admission,” Jamil stated.
Agreeing, Dr Chong speculated that Myanmar is a “very weak candidate” to affix the BRICS.
“If they be part of it’s as a result of they need some form of de facto geoeconomic or geopolitical alliance. I exploit the phrase “alliance” very loosely as a result of it’s the closest factor to defending your self from Western intervention… in relation to the continued civil struggle within the nation.
“I believe the calculations (in Myanmar’s capital) are that Russia and China will certainly present robust help to the present regime in Myanmar in the event that they have been to affix BRICS,” he stated.
On the potential of Laos and Cambodia becoming a member of the BRICS, Dr Chong believes the 2 international locations might probably achieve this in alternate for help for superpower China.
“I think it’s to help their patron or ally: China. I do not suppose Cambodia or Laos can actually present management to BRICS. They might begin with observer standing, as a result of they mainly get pleasure from China’s financial generosity.
“China has constructed so many infrastructure tasks for them. So they owe China a sure diploma of help,” Dr Chong stated.
SINGAPORE, PHILIPPINES AND BRUNEI ARE UNLIKELY TO JOIN
Among the remaining Southeast Asian international locations – particularly Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines – the possibilities of them becoming a member of the BRICS are low, analysts say.
This is as a result of financial and international insurance policies of those international locations, in addition to their partnership with Western powers.
“Singapore values its position as a world monetary middle and maintains a strict coverage of neutrality in worldwide relations,” Jamil informed CNA, including that the nation’s integration into Western markets and reliance on balanced international relations made it “unlikely” becoming a member of a bloc that might make it seem like aligning itself extra intently with China or Russia.
“Joining the BRICS would compromise its strategic flexibility and probably complicate present relations,” he stated.
Of be aware, Singapore had beforehand unilaterally imposed financial sanctions on Russia over the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has robust financial and safety ties with Washington, making it unlikely to threat jeopardizing these relations by becoming a member of the BRICS.
“Americans see the Philippines as an distinctive ally, on par with South Korea and Japan, and it’s probably that the United States will share a few of its high-tech investments with the Philippines,” says RSIS’s Dr. Chong.
