Pakistan formally submitted its application to join the BRICS grouping in 2023, but nearly three years on, it still remains outside the bloc. The country’s push for membership comes amid economic stress, an intent to deepen ties with peer developing economies, and efforts to expand its financing options. So what’s holding Pakistan back?
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## Pakistan’s 2023 Bid: What We Know
– **Application timeline**: In November 2023, Pakistan confirmed that it had filed a request to join BRICS for the 2024 membership cycle. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch called it a “formal request,” emphasizing Pakistan’s belief in inclusive multilateralism.
– **Seeking allies**: The country has turned specifically to Russia and China for backing. Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali has publicly stated that Islamabad is contacting member countries for support “in general and the Russian Federation in particular.”
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## Why Pakistan Is Still Outside
### India’s Veto: A Roadblock
BRICS operates on consensus. That means every existing member must approve a new entrant. Despite Pakistan’s application and diplomatic outreach, India’s opposition remains a definitive barrier.
### Economic Pressures
Pakistan’s 2023 GDP growth rate stood at 3.70 percent, according to its Economic Survey. The nation hopes BRICS membership—and associated institutions like the New Development Bank—could help diversify its financial sources beyond the IMF and World Bank. Islamabad reportedly bought a $580 million stake in the New Development Bank as part of this strategy.
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## What Pakistan Wants
– **Role and recognition**: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has referred to BRICS as “an important group of developing countries.” Islamabad believes membership would give the country a platform to contribute to global cooperation and to promote inclusive multilateralism.
– **Global South dynamics**: Pakistan’s bid aligns with BRICS’s expanding footprint as a powerful coalition for developing nations. The bloc now represents almost half of the world’s population and about 40 percent of global GDP in purchasing power parity terms.
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## What Pakistan Has Done to Strengthen Its Case
– **Stake in New Development Bank**: Beyond rhetoric and diplomacy, Islamabad has made financial commitments, including a $580 million investment in the New Development Bank. This is part of its strategy to lessen dependence on traditional sources like the IMF and WB.
– **Diplomatic outreach**: The Pakistani ambassador to Russia has confirmed efforts to garner support within BRICS countries—with Moscow being a priority. China has also publicly backed Pakistan on occasion.
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## The Core Obstacles
– **India remains the critical gatekeeper**: Because BRICS decisions must be unanimous, India’s disapproval essentially blocks Pakistan. The opposition seems linked to ongoing geopolitical and security tensions.
– **Economic fundamentals**: While growth is positive, Pakistan faces structural challenges—budget constraints, low per-capita income, external debt, and reliance on international financial assistance—that could influence BRICS members’ perception of its readiness.
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## Where Things Stand in 2026
– BRICS has expanded to include Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE among its new members. Still, Pakistan’s application hasn’t moved past the discussion stage.
– Current figures: The bloc now represents about 49 percent of the world’s population and roughly 40 percent of global GDP by purchasing power parity. Meanwhile, India’s exports to other BRICS members surged by 48.8 percent, rising from US$64.3 billion to US$95.7 billion.
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## Strategic Implications
For Pakistan:
– Gaining full membership could enhance its influence on global development issues and give it more leverage to shape policies impacting the Global South.
– Commitments like the New Development Bank purchase signal a willingness to align financially and institutionally, not just diplomatically.
For BRICS:
– The expansion to 11 members has reshaped what the group means and what it represents on the global stage—covering more geography and a wider range of economies.
– India, holding veto power, continues to act as a guardrail against membership bids it perceives as conflicting with its national security and policy interests.
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## Bottom Line
Pakistan’s ambition to join BRICS reflects its search for economic stability, international legitimacy, and a role in shaping global governance. The formal application in 2023 marked a definitive step. Yet almost three years later, entry remains elusive—not for lack of effort, but due to BRICS’s requirement for full member consensus, with India’s opposition standing as the most significant barrier. As BRICS continues to grow in influence, Pakistan’s fate may hinge on whether it can present a stronger economic profile and whether geopolitical dynamics shift in its favor.
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