New Delhi: The BRICS grouping on Thursday announced the addition of six countries to the group as full-time members.
The countries Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Argentina, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia will join the bloc, whose membership will be effective from January 1, 2024.
The BRICS, which currently encompasses five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, announced the decision of expansion at the BRICS Summit in South Africa’s Johannesburg.
"We have consensus on the first phase of this BRICS expansion process," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed all six nations and vowed to work with the other nations to continue adding nations that express interest in joining.
"I take this opportunity to welcome these six nations to BRICS and I congratulate the leaders and people of these nations. India has close ties, historic ties, with each of these countries and I believe we will work together for a new era of cooperation and prosperity," PM Modi said.
"On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of BRICS, we have taken the decision to expand this forum. India has always fully supported this expansion. Such an expansion will make BRICS stronger and more effective. In that spirit, India welcomes Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE into the BRICS family," he later posted on X (formerly Twitter).
This is the second time BRICS has decided to expand. The bloc was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. The group was later expanded to include South Africa in 2010.