Senator Mushahid Hussain made history as the first Pakistani to address the International BRICS Forum, which took place in Vladivostok and was organized by Russia’s United Russia Party. As the Co-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the head of two Pakistani think tanks, he used the platform to advocate for Pakistan’s inclusion in BRICS, expressing a desire to join the emerging global order.
BRICS is a prominent group of five major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—aimed at promoting economic cooperation, development, and political dialogue among its member countries. Initially referred to as BRIC when it was founded in 2006, South Africa joined in 2010, leading to the formation of BRICS.
Notably, in January 2024, the bloc expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Together, the member countries represent nearly half of the world’s population and a significant portion of global GDP.
During the forum, Mushahid’s keynote address focused on the declining influence of the Western world order and emphasized the role of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in shaping a new international framework based on the UN Charter and peaceful coexistence. He identified key trends, including the need to democratize international relations through equality and the rule of law, demilitarize global interactions to avoid Cold War tensions and depolarize the financial system to reduce the political dominance of the US dollar. Furthermore, he praised President Putin’s Eurasian Security proposal and President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative.
In addition, Mushahid used the platform to condemn Western support for Israel, labelling it a contributor to the Gaza conflict, which he termed a “crime against humanity.”
It is worth noting that at the forum, attended by representatives from 29 countries, the significant global influence of BRICS was highlighted, given that it encompasses nearly half the world’s population and substantial portions of global GDP and energy resources.
Earlier in the year, Senator Hussain had expressed hope that Pakistan would join BRICS with the cooperation of Russia, the current chair of the world’s five most important developing countries. This signifies Pakistan’s ongoing interest in and pursuit of closer ties with the BRICS nations.
