Amidst rapidly evolving global geopolitics in 2026, Pakistan faces a pivotal moment to secure BRICS membership as a strategic economic necessity to avoid the high costs of exclusion from an increasingly influential bloc.
Shifting Geopolitics and Pakistan’s Diplomatic Resurgence
With India leading BRICS, Pakistan’s bid to join the bloc is no longer a quiet aspiration but has turned into a high-stakes economic ambition. Due to the rise of a multipolar world order and the decline of US hegemony, joining BRICS has become a necessity not only for Pakistan but for all third-world states. India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September 2026. The organization has already expanded into a broader BRICS+ framework. With new members like the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Iran, the bloc now represents around 55.61 percent of the global population. It also comprises 43.93 percent of the global economy and 43.6 percent of global oil production.
BRICS Expansion and Pakistan’s Strategic Calculus
For countries like Pakistan, remaining excluded from this evolving circle not only risks diplomatic isolation but also limits a country’s access to a growing internal market in this bloc, which is rapidly moving towards de-dollarization by trading in local currencies. Islamabad’s bid to gain BRICS membership has already gained momentum due to its diplomatic resurgence since last year. In recent years, Pakistan has played a pivotal role in reducing tensions in the Middle East, positing itself as a strong mediator between major regional and international powers, including Iran and the United States. Its Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and its strengthening ties with Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar show its rising diplomatic influence in the region.
All this reflects Pakistan’s strategic maturity that has enhanced the country’s international standing. Support from BRICS members like Russia and China further cements its prospects of gaining membership or at least paving the way for Partner Country status. However, Islamabad faces significant challenges due to the consensus-based nature of BRICS. India is one of the most influential countries in BRICS, especially due to its chairmanship. Pakistan and India are historical regional rivals. Both countries have fought five major wars, with the last one in 2025. This rivalry between the two sides could be a significant obstacle to Pakistan’s membership in the organization.
However, broader dynamics within the bloc seem to be shifting as China, Russia, and Brazil push for a more inclusive Global South forum. Their strong advocacy for this cause also compels India to support it. Nonetheless, Pakistan also needs to move beyond regional hostilities and present itself as an economic gateway between the energy-rich Middle East and Asian industrial centers.
Economic Imperatives and the Cost of Exclusion
For decades, Pakistan has been trapped in the Western institutions’ debt trap. The country is highly dependent on the IMF for bailout packages. However, the IMF is allegedly used by Western nations, especially the United States, to exert economic and political control over weak countries. In the past, Western nations, especially the US, used these monetary institutions to dictate policies to Pakistan. Moreover, the IMF’s harsh conditions increase the economic burden on a country’s poor and middle classes. Like many developing countries, Pakistan seeks to break the shackles of the IMF. The New Development Bank of BRICS offers an alternative to traditional Western lending institutions, providing financial assistance on fewer and softer conditions.
Pakistan’s BRICS membership will also prove lucrative for the alliance. Its maritime routes, youthful population, and strategic location are assets that align with the priorities of the BRICS alliance by enhancing its economic reach, trade, digital development, and connectivity. Its ports and infrastructure can support BRICS’ goals of expanding regional trade and minimizing dependence on Western-dominated routes. Moreover, Pakistan’s large population and growing consumer market would add depth to intra-BRICS trade. Islamabad’s diplomatic engagements across diverse regions could also help the bloc expand its influence within the Global South.
The year 2026 is a decisive year for Pakistan to turn its diplomatic success into economic prosperity. However, it depends significantly on demonstrating sustained economic reforms and internal stability. Moreover, it also needs to prudently navigate the complexities of its relations with India to secure membership in this influential bloc. Amidst the current global geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics, BRICS has emerged as an alternative to Western-influenced unilateral alliances. It not only provides equality to all the member states but also paves the way for strengthening regional and global influence. Thus, for Pakistan, the opportunity to gain BRICS membership is significant, and missing it could have profound impacts on the country in the long run.
Аbbas Hashemite is a political observer and research analyst for regional and global geopolitical issues. He is currently working as an independent researcher and journalist
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