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Brics

South African delegates at a Brics event in Johannesburg. Malaysia and Thailand’s requests to join could be accepted before the end of the year. Photo: Reuters

‘Changing sides’? Concern in Japan as Malaysia, Thailand seek to join Brics

Analysts predict Tokyo will seek to boost engagement with Southeast Asia amid concerns about a shift away from balanced diplomacy.

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Opinion | Asean neutrality remains key to regional peace amid US-China rivalry

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Opinion | For all the high hopes, Brics is neither united nor effective

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Opinion | How Southeast Asia’s diplomatic dance sidesteps great power ensnarement

The leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia, among others, increasingly seek a nuanced engagement of ‘multi-alignment’ and being ‘multi-regional’.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leaving the National Day parade in Putrajaya on August 31. For Anwar, the West is just one of many global players Malaysia must engage with to maximise its strategic advantage. Photo: AP

Opinion | UN must give middle powers greater say or risk losing relevance

The post-World War II global system cannot build consensus, prevent wars or impose costs on aggressors without involving the middle powers.

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Will Myanmar’s ‘delusional’ Brics bid help the junta restore its reputation?

The military regime hopes to secure vital funding through Brics, but experts say its credibility hangs by a thread.

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At UN, India’s foreign minister cites ‘karma’ as he criticises Pakistan, China

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the two countries are undermining the territorial integrity of their neighbours.

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India’s Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. Photo: AP

Brics impasse: Egypt, Ethiopia reject joint statement over Security Council bid

Consensus eludes group of major emerging national economies on General Assembly sidelines as new members balk at South Africa’s candidacy.

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India-China relationship is key to future of Asia: New Delhi’s foreign minister

India can ‘chew gum and walk at the same time,’ Jaishankar says of his country’s membership of both Quad and China-Russia aligned Brics.

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North Korea eyes Brics membership, aligning with Russia and China

North Korea skipped the UN General Assembly for Russia-linked Brics events, but experts question the feasibility of Pyongyang gaining bloc membership.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seeks Brics membership, aligning with Russia and China. Photo: dpa

US targets China’s rare earths dominance with minerals-security finance network

Move brings together banking and mining institutions from top minerals producer Australia as well as chip exporters Japan and South Korea.

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A wheel-loader operator fills a truck with ore at the MP Materials rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California. Photo: Reuters

Brazilian officials work with China on details of joining belt and road

Over worries about relations with Washington, Brazil’s president is being urged to postpone an announcement until after the US presidential election.

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Pakistan’s potential Brics entry seen as benefiting China at India’s expense

Russia’s support for Pakistan’s bid to join ‘China-centric’ Brics could further enhance Beijing’s clout in the bloc, analysts say.

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China and Iran call for ‘durable ceasefire’ in Gaza at Brics security conference

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi meets Russia’s Vladimir Putin and national security chiefs of Iran and India on sidelines of forum.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (fourth from right) holds talks with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Ahmadian (third from left) on Thursday in St Petersburg, Russia. Photo: Handout via Xinhua

Opinion | Southeast Asia is starting work of fixing a broken world order

As UN reform remains elusive and ongoing crises escalate, several trends in Southeast Asia offer a picture of multilateralism done right.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Opinion | How Azerbaijan’s strategic reach for Brics will benefit China too

Baku’s strategic position and aspiration to diversify its economy aligns with Beijing’s vision for Eurasian connectivity.

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Malaysia to continue South China Sea oil exploration despite Beijing’s protest

Anwar says Malaysia has operated well within its territory, as it investigates source of leaked protest note sent by China’s foreign ministry.

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Malaysia’s Anwar visits Russia as Asian leaders defy West over Putin

Anwar follows leaders from India, China, North Korea, Indonesia and Myanmar in meeting Putin since the start of the Ukraine war

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrives at the international airport in Vladivostok, Russia for a two-day visit in which he will meet Putin. Photo: AP

Nato member Turkey seeks Brics membership alongside China, Russia and India

If admitted, it would become the first Nato member in the group, which sees itself as a counterweight to the Western-led global order.

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Facing ICC arrest warrant, Putin’s state visit to Mongolia sparks controversy

Despite an ICC warrant, Putin received a warm welcome in Ulaanbaatar, highlighting Mongolia’s delicate balancing act between its powerful neighbours, Russia and China, as well as the West.

Human Rights Watch calls on Mongolia to arrest Putin during his visit

Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday despite arrest warrant issued by International Criminal Court alleging war crimes in Ukraine.

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People holding Ukrainian national flags and a banner take part in a protest ahead of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar on Monday. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Why China’s Ukraine peace efforts are pivoting to the Global South

Rather than resolving conflicts outright, China’s peace efforts seek to balance its diplomatic and strategic interests as a global power.

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China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui (second left), meets Celso Amorim, special adviser to the president of Brazil, on July 29. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Malaysia as 2025 Asean chair: a test of diplomatic agility – and its China ties

With tensions rising in the South China Sea and the Myanmar crisis still unresolved, Malaysia’s leadership will be closely scrutinised.

Putin to travel to Mongolia next week despite ICC warrant for his arrest

September 3 visit will be Putin’s first trip to an ICC member state since warrant was issued last year over suspected war crimes in Ukraine.

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Open questions | China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

Prominent academic Pan Guang gives his view on Beijing’s role in conflict mediation, its engagement with the Global South, and belt and road security.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Opinion | As Western-led order crumbles, can China and India fulfil their destinies?

In spite of their border dispute, India and China have been steering a course for continued dialogue and cooperation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim visits India to reset ties, boost Brics membership bid

The first visit to India by PM Anwar Ibrahim is timely due to China’s rising dominance of Malaysia’s foreign policy space, analysts say.

In China, Russian diplomat pushes ‘peace and security’ amid Ukraine incursion

Trip by Russia’s deputy foreign minister comes as Beijing shows more interest in intervening in war and increasing engagement with Kyiv.

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Brics
Brics (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) refers to an association of leading emerging markets. South Africa joined the group in 2010.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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