Pakistan Could Join BRICS in 2024 with Russia’s Backing, Senator Claims during Moscow Trip

Pakistani senator Mushahid Hussain who is visiting Moscow this week claimed that Pakistan could join the intergovernmental geopolitical bloc, BRICS, with Russian backing. He said that it could be possible because Russia is the current chair of BRICS 2024. He said Russia and Pakistan ties in the field of energy, connectivity, education, regional security including Afghanistan and cooperation at multilateral fora including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the UN has increased.

Mushahid, according to a report by The Dawn, said four Muslim states — Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia — will play a decisive role in geo-political affairs. He also appreciated President Putin’s stance on Islamophobia and welcomed Russian goodwill for Pakistan.

The report said Hussain visited Russia on the invitation of the ruling United Russia party. He held meetings with Russia’s security council deputy chairman of and ex-president Dmitri Medvedev. He also held a meeting with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

He attended the plenary session of International Forum for Freedom of Nations and he discussed Pakistan-Russia relations, the situation in Afghanistan and the war in Gaza. They also discussed the scope and state of Islamabad-Moscow collaboration in various sectors.

The Pakistani lawmaker warned Russians by saying that if Donald Trump wins the US presidential elections which will be held later this year, it would lead to a ‘qualitative change’ in the region’s geopolitical landscape.

He said there is no fundamental conflict of interest between Pakistan and Russia while delivering a lecture at the Russian Diplomatic Academy. He highlighted that Pakistan remained neutral on Ukraine and abstained from voting in the United Nations.

Senator Hussain met with Senator Chizhov, President of the Russia-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, and key members of the Pakistani community in Moscow.

During his visit, Senator Hussain emphasised three main points: the opportunity for closer relations between Pakistan and Russia now that foreign intervention in Afghanistan has ceased, the importance of regional cooperation for enhanced connectivity with Russia and neighbouring countries, and the mutual benefit of cooperation with China, given the strong strategic ties both countries share with Beijing.