After formally deciding to apply for BRICS membership back in October, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today, during his three-day state visit to India, that his country has renewed its interest in joining the economic bloc.
Commenting the announcement during thespecial media briefing on Dissanayake’s visit, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed out that that Sri Lanka’s request for membership will, however, be considered in the future when the bloc deliberates new candidates for membership.
“Currently, there are no new members being considered by BRICS in addition to the ones that were already on the list since last year. But as and when there is a consensus within BRICS to start looking at new members, we will certainly take into account the interest expressed by Sri Lanka. This was something communicated to the Prime Minister by President Dissanayake,” Misri said.
Sri Lanka formally applied for BRICS membership earlier this year, at a time when it grapples with economic hardships and ongoing debt restructuring effortsand is seeking to revive its economy
“We consider BRICS to be an effective partnership to realize aspirations for mutually beneficial cooperation, peace, and development, through strengthened and inclusive multilateralism within the framework of the UN Charter,” Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated back in October, signaling Sri Lanka’s interest in BRICS membership as a pathway to larger international support and cooperation.
