Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, expressed his country’s enthusiasm to become a member of the BRICS grouping during an interview on Monday. He highlighted the significance of India’s participation in BRICS, terming the group a “good body” after India’s inclusion. Sabry underlined Sri Lanka’s intention to prioritize discussions with India when formally applying to join BRICS.
“We will look forward to BRICS. Also, I think the cabinet had appointed a sub-committee to look into that and recommend to us. We would like to see that because we would like to have multiple options. Who doesn’t want to? So therefore BRICS is a good body, particularly since India is a part of it,” Mr. Sabry stated in an interview with ANI.
“The first country we would be talking to is India and seek India’s support for us to reach to the BRICS. And then of course I have been invited to take part on the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Russia. So I hope that I will be there and then we will assess that. And yes, I think that right now personally if you ask me, I think that we should look at BRICS seriously,” he added.
On January 1, 2024, Russia assumed the chairmanship of BRICS, an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with the recent addition of four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined BRICS as new full members, showcasing the association’s expanding influence and role in global affairs.
Responding to inquiries regarding potential high-level visits from India, the Sri Lankan Minister noted President Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to India and expressed eagerness to host the Indian Prime Minister and a high-level delegation in Sri Lanka.
“We are looking forward to the visit of the Indian Prime Minister as soon as possible when circumstances are conducive for such a visit because my president already visited last year. So this is the turn for the Indian prime minister to visit Sri Lanka,” he said.
“We would hope for a high-level delegation with a very powerful business delegation accompanying the honorable Prime Minister and visiting Sri Lanka in the near future, which will further strengthen our relationship, which is at an all-time high,” he added.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India on an official visit on July 21, 2023. This marked President Wickremesinghe’s first visit to India since assuming office. The visit bolstered the enduring friendship between the two nations and explored avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors.
Sri Lanka holds a crucial position in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR, accentuating the significance of bilateral ties between the two countries.
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