In a significant diplomatic move, Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake has formally expressed the country’s intent to join the BRICS group through a letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The letter, sent in October 2024, underscores Sri Lanka’s desire to become a member of the BRICS nations, seeking support from the five current members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. President Dissanayake’s letter appeals to the BRICS countries to consider Sri Lanka as a partner country and expects a positive response from them in due course.
Pakir Amza, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Moscow, confirmed the contents of the letter, stating that Sri Lanka views BRICS as an ideal platform for fostering deeper economic and political cooperation, contributing to regional stability, and enhancing multilateral engagement in global affairs. The Sri Lankan government envisions the partnership as a means to accelerate its development and contribute to global peace and prosperity through the UN Charter’s framework.
The move to seek BRICS membership comes after Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s October announcement that Sri Lanka had officially applied for membership in BRICS and the New Development Bank. The country sees this as an opportunity to strengthen its economic ties with emerging economies and build on mutual benefits such as increased trade, infrastructure development, and investment. Sri Lanka’s application is also seen as a step toward diversifying its foreign relations and reducing dependency on traditional Western allies.
Additionally, President Dissanayake reached out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting support for Sri Lanka’s BRICS bid, a move that highlights the importance of regional cooperation and Sri Lanka’s focus on strengthening ties with key neighbors. While the effort to gain BRICS membership has garnered significant attention, Sri Lanka’s push remains without a concrete result as of now, with no formal decision from the BRICS bloc regarding its membership.
