Taliban's Bid to Join BRICS Economic Forum

The Taliban government in Afghanistan, despite not having formal recognition from any country, is expressing interest in joining the BRICS economic forum. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, stated that the forum is associated with countries with significant resources and the largest global economies, particularly Russia, India, and China. He added that they currently have good economic and commercial exchanges with these countries and are eager to expand these relationships and participate in the BRICS economic forums.

Taliban's Relationship with China and Russia

Although the Taliban government has not received formal recognition, both China and Russia have shown signs of acceptance. Both countries have hosted Taliban delegations for discussions and continue to maintain their embassies in Kabul even after the US-NATO withdrawal in August 2021. The Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its hope to receive an invitation to the BRICS summit scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, a city in southwestern Russia. However, there is currently no information on whether the Taliban will be allowed to attend.

BRICS Membership

BRICS is an economic forum comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Recently, it has expanded to include Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia. China and Russia, two major regional Asian powers, have shown a willingness to invest in Afghanistan and potentially exploit its substantial natural resources. Both countries have also expressed approval of the Taliban's fight against the rival extremist terror group, the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K).

Possible Implications of Taliban's Inclusion in BRICS

The formal inclusion of the Afghan Taliban in BRICS could potentially be an embarrassment for the bloc, especially at a time when it is positioning itself as a counterweight to the unipolar tendencies of the United States. While many regional countries have recognized the Taliban's rule over Afghanistan on a de facto level, they have not officially extended full diplomatic relations. The inclusion of the Taliban in BRICS could provide an opportunity for Washington to criticize BRICS on a global stage, particularly in light of the US's displeasure with the growing cooperation between China, Russia, and India and their refusal to condemn Russian military action in Ukraine.

Bottom Line

The Taliban's bid to join the BRICS economic forum presents a complex geopolitical situation. While it could potentially open up new avenues for economic cooperation, it also carries the risk of international backlash. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.