Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
24 October 2024 | 17:15 CAT
3-minute read

RUSSIA: Implications for ASEAN countries added as BRICS partner countries

Several ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are in attendance at this year’s BRICS Summit, which is being held in Russia’s southwestern city of Kazan. These countries, along with 10 others, have officially been added to the BRICS alliance as partner countries.

The addition, according to analysts, could spell vast economic benefits for ASEAN countries through access to global trade opportunities as well as funds from the BRICS New Development Bank.

“Being added as a partner country to the bloc means that you become part of the global trade. And BRICS accounts for one fifth of global trade [and] is surpassing the G7 countries in terms of GDP output,” Sanusha Naidu, senior research associate based at the Institute of Global Dialogue, said earlier on Radio Islam’s Asia-Pacific Report.

Additionally, partnering with BRICS could open bilateral relations between ASEAN and BRICS countries, particularly India and China. It will also allow for increased co-operation in areas of development finance and security, Naidu said.

Expanding BRICS to include Southeast Asian nations could strengthen the Global South’s ability to influence the global order and could help counter the practices of the great powers, such as their logic of exclusion and alliance-building.

However, some critics have questioned the bloc’s capacity to deliver tangible economic benefits, citing the fact that while BRICS countries, particularly China and India, have significant economic interests in ASEAN, these interests may not always align with the developmental goals of ASEAN nations. These nations may feel pressure from BRICS countries’ dominant economies, which will limit opportunities for balanced economic growth.

Additionally, critics argue that BRICS is a diverse grouping with different economic systems, governance models and regional priorities, which may limit its ability to implement policies that directly benefit ASEAN networks, which have their own regional integration framework, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

SRI LANKA: Two arrested after alleged planned attack on Israeli tourism spot

Israel has issued a travel warning to parts of the country after Sri Lankan police arrested two suspects for allegedly planning an attack on Israeli tourists in the Arugam Bay area on Thursday. The area is reportedly a hot spot for Israeli surfing enthusiasts.

The arrest came a day after Israel’s national security council warned Israeli citizens to leave some tourist areas in the southern part of Sri Lanka due to a potential attack.

Naidu said that the incident indicates the ripple effects that Israel’s war on Gaza is having on other parts of the world.

“Countries in Southeast Asia, countries in South Asia, and even down in Africa, which could be popular tourist destinations for Israeli citizens, then become part of the protracted nature of this conflict,” Naidu said, adding that the safety of non-Israeli citizens in the area could also be compromised.

INDIA: Germany’s Chancellor to visit subcontinent in bid to strengthen defence and economic ties

In a move aimed at bolstering relations, Germany’s Chancellor is set to visit India this Friday, with defence, economy, and labour issues at the top of the agenda. As a leading member of the G7 and a key player in the European Union, Germany’s deepening engagement with India reflects both nations’ growing global influence.

Both countries are also expected to discuss the ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis, an issue of global significance. India’s position on the conflict has been noted for its diplomatic balance, as it navigates its relationships with both Russia and the West, underscoring its stance of strategic alignment.

This visit is significant for both sides, as it comes at a time when India is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage. As a member of BRICS and the G20, India has emerged as a leading voice for the Global South, positioning itself as a bridge between different global spheres of influence. Germany, recognising India’s growing importance, is keen to strengthen ties in areas such as green and sustainable development, digital technology, and other key sectors.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Mawlana Habib Bobat.