Türkiye’s Quest for BRICS Membership
• Dr. Devender Kumar
BRICS, the grouping of developing economies- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa- is to hold its 16th meeting in October 2024 under the chairmanship of Russia. The meeting aims to “strengthen multilateralism for just global development and security” and the focus is on security, economy, politics, culture, and humanitarian contacts.
BRICS is a dynamic partner in global order and represents 41% of the world population, 37.3% of global GDP, 16% of world trade, and 29.3% land surface of the world.
The membership of the group is expanding. On 1 January 2024 Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Ethiopia joined BRICS. The grouping now has 10 members, and according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 more countries are keen to join the BRICS multidimensional agenda.
Interestingly, Türkiye, a NATO member has formally applied to join the group. Türkiye aspires to become a member and this has been confirmed by the Russian sources “Türkiye has submitted an application for full membership”. Russia has “welcomed” the Turkish interest in the grouping. President Putin said Russia “will support this desire to be together with countries to solve common problems”.
Azerbaijan and Malaysia are other countries in the queue for BRICS membership. Among the 30 others likely to consider to join BRICS, Türkiye is unique given that it is a NATO member. There are four main reasons why Türkiye has chosen to join BRICS.
First, the Turkish interest in the BRICS is a result of confrontation with the USA. Washington DC imposed ‘Section 231’ of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Türkiye for buying Russian missile defense system “worth “$2.5 billion”. It prohibits procurement, import-export, loan, and banking transactions with the adversary.
Also, the US devalued the Turkish currency Lira following “refusal to extradite a US preacher”. It hit the Turkish ‘Central Bank’ and caused turmoil in the market. President Erdogan warned the US about the depreciation of the Lira and stated that “We are together in NATO and then you seek to stab your strategic partner in the back”. Türkiye also held the US responsible for the ‘2016 failed Coup’ and the Interior Minister had openly “accused the US” of overthrowing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Second, Türkiye wants to build closer ties with Russia. It purchased S400 missile defense system from Moscow despite opposition from the US. In 2022 it tried to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine War and held high-level negotiations. It is the only NATO country that comes under the friendly and neutral countries list of Russia and has not appeared in the unfriendly countries list.
Türkiye wants to follow an independent foreign policy and extend influence in the region. It is focusing on ‘Axis-Shift’. Türkiye failed to convince the EU for its membership to the Union due to Cyprus (EU member), and questions were raised on the nature of Turkish democracy.
Third, is its entry into the BRICS which offers an opportunity for balancing the US-led West global order, free trade, and de-dollarisation. It came as a counter-reaction to the US-led West hegemony over the global order and tried to establish a fair world order to initiate a movement of reforms mainly in institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations.
Fourth, Türkiye wants to build relations with China. It is its biggest economic partner in Asia and bilateral trade crossed $48 billion in 2023. Relations have gone beyond the ‘question of Uighurs’. Foreign Minister of Türkiye Hakan Fidan visited China in June 2024 and met Politburo and CCP members to cooperate on trade, energy, tourism, and civil aviation. Many outlined this visit as an initiative to be “remembered for BRICS+ Headlines”. Moreover, both coordinate initiatives for the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor (connects China and Europe) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China.
Furthermore, under the Russian leadership, Türkiye is hopeful of a positive response and willing to explore opportunities under BRICS for Türkiye’s economy. The grouping offers opportunities for cooperation in different sectors such as science, technology, innovation, research, space, and development programs. BRICS also has multiple forums such as (a) Parliamentary Forum; (b) People Forum; (c) Young Scientist; (d) Academic Forum; (e) Scientific Union, (f) Civil Forum, (g) Media Forum, etc and Türkiye wants to take benefit of each of these forums and platforms.
There is a trust issue between China and Türkiye; Ankara also has issues with India but during the 2023 earthquake, India helped Türkiye under Operation Dost. India believes in multilateral order therefore Türkiye must better its political relations with India to achieve membership in BRICS as India is the founding member and has a good say in the grouping.
Dr. Devender Kumar is an Assistant Professor at the Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University.
