Jul 7, 04:24 PM

Tensions With India Stall Turkey’s Bid for Full BRICS Membership

Turkey’s year-old drive to become the first NATO member admitted as a full participant in the BRICS economic bloc has effectively stalled, according to people familiar with the discussions and documents reviewed by Middle East Eye. Diplomatic sources say the main obstacle is India’s strong opposition, which hardened after New Delhi accused Ankara of supplying drones, weapons and advisers to Pakistan during this year’s flare-up over Kashmir. The dispute has already prompted Indian regulators to restrict Turkish aviation activities and encouraged consumer boycotts of Turkish businesses. BRICS members decide on new entrants by consensus. While Russia, China and Brazil had previously indicated a preference to slow further enlargement after five countries joined in 2024, India’s veto has left Ankara with only an offer of ‘partner country’ status—a formula Turkish officials view as insufficient. Ankara’s hesitation is compounded by renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened additional tariffs on governments that, in his words, align with the “anti-American policies” of BRICS. Erdogan skipped last week’s BRICS summit in Brazil, sending Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan instead and offering no public comment on the bloc’s latest membership decisions. With consensus unlikely and geopolitical costs mounting, diplomats and analysts say Turkey’s bid is moribund for the foreseeable future, leaving Ankara to weigh alternative forums for economic cooperation outside the US-led system.

#Turkey #NATO #BRICS #Middle East Eye #India #New Delhi #Ankara #Pakistan #Kashmir #Indian #Turkish #Russia #China #Brazil #US #Donald Trump #Erdogan #Hakan Fidan

Written with ChatGPT .

Tensions With India Stall Turkey’s Bid for Full BRICS Membership

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