South Africa to be new BRIC member

BRIC is set to become BRICS. The April summit of the economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China in Beijing will formalise the addition of South Africa.

South Africa had expressed its desire to join BRIC in February this year. The addition has been cleared by the existing members.

BRIC, which came into existence in 2001, is a group of countries considered to be at the same stage of economic development. Some other countries like South Korea, Turkey and Mexico also want to join the bloc.

South Africa takes its role in IBSA (India, Brazil and SA) very seriously and therefore, its addition to BRIC would strengthen the existing cooperation, a source said.

IBSA is a trilateral effort to promote South-South cooperation and exchange. The navies of the three countries in this group engage in biennial joint exercises, called IBSAMAR, to increase inter-operability.

The exercises began in 2008, with South Africa as the lead planner. This year’s IBSAMAR was held in South Africa in August, with India as the lead planner. Brazil will plan the 2012 IBSAMAR. 

It may be noted that SA and Brazil would become non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for two years in January 2011 along with India.

Brazil and India have staked a strong claim for permanent membership of the Security Council.