India took part in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia

Current Context: The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting took place on June 10-11, 2024, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation.

• This meeting was the first major assignment for India’s foreign policy under the historic third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The meeting was significant as it was the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023 to include ten full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the new members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.
• The purpose of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia was to examine current issues and the international agenda, improve the global order with an emphasis on strengthening the role of developing countries, resolve disputes, and engage in multilateral interaction.
• India, continuing its role as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ (global friend), was expected to raise the development concerns facing the Global South and challenges facing the world at this two-day meeting.
• The meeting was chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Question:

1 Which new members were included in BRICS after the 2023 expansion?

• A) Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia
• B) Egypt, Argentina, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia
• C) Turkey, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia
• D) Egypt, Iran, UAE, Turkey, and Ethiopia

Answer: A) The meeting was significant as it was the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023 to include ten full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the new members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.