Which countries were recently invited to join BRICS at the summit held in Johannesburg (Aug 22-24)?

A. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and UK
B. Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE
C. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan
D. Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda

Introduction

BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is an alliance aimed at promoting cooperation and collaboration among these nations. Recently, BRICS made significant developments by extending invitations to other countries, leading to questions about the implications of this expansion.

The Correct Choice

The correct choice is “B) Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.” These countries were recently invited to join BRICS during the summit held in Johannesburg.

Explanation

• BRICS, originally comprised of five major emerging economies, has expanded its ambit by inviting additional nations to join the alliance.
• The countries invited to join BRICS are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• This expansion raises questions about the potential impact on global geopolitics and trade, as well as the challenges and opportunities it presents to the member nations.
• The invitation to these countries signifies a willingness to strengthen cooperation and dialogue among a diverse group of nations.

Conclusion

The recent invitation to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to join BRICS reflects an expansion of the alliance’s scope and objectives. This development has sparked discussions about the role of an expanded BRICS in the global political and economic landscape and its potential to represent the interests of the Global South.