From Mohd Khairi Idham Amran
NEW DELHI, May 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s participation in the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India reflects the country’s push to strengthen economic resilience, accelerate digital transformation and expand cooperation with emerging global economies.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will attend the two-day meeting here beginning tomorrow, with Malaysia expected to reinforce its commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, global governance reform, inclusive economic cooperation and strengthening the voice of the Global South.
Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa said the participation was also in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a full BRICS member.
“In line with the country’s aspiration to become a BRICS member state, Malaysia will continue to engage constructively with BRICS to strengthen cooperation in sectors of strategic importance,” he told reporters during a briefing today.
He also described the meeting as a key preparatory platform ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit scheduled for September.
According to Muzafar Shah, during the meeting, Mohamad is expected to deliver Malaysia’s statement in two main sessions themed “BRICS at 20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and “Reforms of Global Governance and Multilateral System”.
“The minister is also expected to share Malaysia’s views on major global issues, including trade, global supply chains, energy security, digitalisation and climate action,” he said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mohamad is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from countries including Cuba, Russia and India.
“Participation in this meeting reflects Malaysia’s commitment to a principled, balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, while strengthening its role as a proactive middle power in shaping a more inclusive, stable and sustainable global system,” Muzafar Shah said.
He added that Malaysia’s engagement with BRICS could open opportunities for cooperation in technology, energy, food security and climate change initiatives.
BRICS is a major intergovernmental and geopolitical bloc representing key emerging economies, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Since 2024, the bloc has expanded to include the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt.
Malaysia, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan, became a BRICS partner country on Jan 1, 2025.
-- BERNAMA