Sri Lanka Announces Plan to Join BRICS+ Group

Sri Lanka's ambassador to Russia, Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage, has announced that the island nation plans to formally seek membership in the BRICS group of nations in the near future. The ambassador stated that joining BRICS+ would provide opportunities for Sri Lanka to ensure both transport and food security.

The announcement was made during the XII International Meeting of High Representatives in charge of security issues, which is taking place in St. Petersburg, Russia, from April 23 to 25, 2024. The Sri Lankan delegation is currently present at the Security Council forum and a meeting of senior representatives overseeing security issues, indicating the country's willingness to join BRICS.

The BRICS group, which previously consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded to include four new members: Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE. Several other countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, Thailand, Cuba, Senegal, Nigeria, Bahrain, Belarus, and Pakistan, have also expressed an interest in joining the BRICS group.

Why this matters: Sri Lanka's potential membership in BRICS+ could have significant implications for the country's economic and geopolitical standing. As a member of the expanded BRICS group, Sri Lanka would have access to increased trade, investment, and cooperation opportunities with some of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies.

Ambassador Liyanage also announced that a project allowing Russian tourists to receive visas free of charge to visit Sri Lanka could be extended beyond the initial April 30 expiration date. Additionally, Sri Lanka plans to open three new Russian language centers in cooperation with Russian universities, as the Russian language is popular in Sri Lanka due to the long-standing warm and friendly relations between the two countries.

Kirill Babayev, President of the National Coordinating Center for International Business Cooperation and Director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, confirmed Sri Lanka's interest in joining BRICS. Babayev stressed the importance of Sri Lanka as a South Asian state with significant trade and economic ties with other Eurasian countries.

This year marks the 68th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia. The Sri Lankan ambassador expressed hope that the country's accession to BRICS+ would provide "an opportunity to ensure both transport and food security" for the island nation.

Key Takeaways

• Sri Lanka plans to formally seek BRICS+ membership for economic, trade, and security benefits.
• BRICS+ has expanded to include 9 members, with several other countries interested in joining.
• Sri Lanka's BRICS+ membership could enhance its economic and geopolitical standing globally.
• Sri Lanka plans to extend visa-free travel for Russian tourists and open new Russian language centers.
• Sri Lanka-Russia diplomatic relations mark 68 years, with BRICS+ membership seen as ensuring transport and food security.