Afghanistan’s Taliban Government Seeks Entry into BRICS Economic Bloc
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Ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia, the Taliban government has indicated a strong desire to join the economic forum. The summit, which features emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is scheduled to take place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, a city in southwestern Russia.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, highlighted the significance of BRICS, stating, “Countries with major resources and the world’s biggest economies are associated with the BRICS forum, especially Russia, India, and China.” He emphasized the existing economic ties and commercial exchanges Afghanistan has with these nations, expressing eagerness to enhance relations and actively participate in BRICS economic discussions.
Despite not being officially recognized by any country, the Taliban has fostered growing relations with several founding BRICS members, particularly China and Russia. The group has recently expanded to include Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia. However, the BRICS coalition has not publicly responded to the Taliban’s interest in joining the forum.
A spokesperson from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed AFP that there is currently “no information so far” regarding an invitation to the upcoming BRICS summit.
Both Russia and China have signaled their willingness to invest in various commercial projects within Afghanistan and have shown interest in collaborating with the Taliban in combating the Islamic State Khorasan, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group. As the Taliban seeks to strengthen its economic ties and legitimacy on the global stage, participation in the BRICS forum could serve as a significant step in that direction.
