BRICS expansion still work in progress: EAM Jaishankar

Expansion of the BRICS bloc is still a work in progress and members of the five-nation grouping are approaching the idea with a positive intent and an open mind, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said.

Expansion of the BRICS bloc is still a work in progress and members of the five-nation grouping are approaching the idea with a positive intent and an open mind, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said.

Speaking after a meeting of the foreign ministers of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations in Cape Town on Thursday evening, Mr. Jaishankar said the leaders of the countries had asked them last year to formulate the guiding principles, standards, criteria and the procedures for such admissions.

“This is still a work in progress. We are approaching this with positive intent with an open mind," he said.

There are many aspects to it. One part of it is to consolidate how the existing BRICS members are working with each other. The second part of it is how the BRICS engages non-BRICS countries, he said.

"And the third part is how we look at possible BRICS expansion — what will be the appropriate format for that is also something we need to work on,” Mr. Jaishankar said.

“Bottom line is we are still working on it; the Sherpas (representing the BRICS members) have been tasked with it and we will have to see what they come up with,” he added.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said he concurred with Mr. Jaishankar's view. “BRICS is a brand and an asset, so we have to take care of it because it means and represents a lot,” Mr. Vieira said.