United News of Bangladesh

The BRICS group of developing nations on Sunday condemned rising global tariffs and military attacks on Iran but stopped short of naming US President Donald Trump or directly criticizing member states like Russia. The group’s joint declaration also condemned Israel's military actions in the Middle East while mentioning the ongoing war in Ukraine only once. The two-day summit, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, was overshadowed by the absence of key leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a BRICS summit for the first time since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the meeting via videoconference, continuing to limit his international travel due to an arrest warrant related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an apparent swipe at the US, the group expressed “serious concerns” over tariff hikes, stating they are “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules” and could “threaten reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.” Responding on his social media platform, Trump warned of new tariffs, saying any nation aligning with “the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosting the summit, criticized NATO's plan to raise military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 — a position later reflected in the BRICS declaration. “It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,” Lula said at the summit’s opening session, which continues Monday. Iranian presence and condemnation of Middle East violence Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expected to attend, stayed away following last month’s attacks on Iran. His foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, represented the country instead. The BRICS declaration condemned the attacks on Iran but avoided mentioning the US or Israel, the countries believed to have carried them out. In his address, Araghchi urged BRICS leaders to push for strong international condemnation of Israel. He also called for accountability from Israel and the US for alleged human rights violations. “The aftermath of the war will not be limited to one country,” Araghchi warned. “The entire region and beyond will be damaged.” BRICS leaders voiced “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, called for the release of hostages, and urged a return to negotiations in support of a two-state solution. However, in a later statement on Telegram, Araghchi expressed Iran’s reservations about the two-state proposal, saying it “will not work, just as it has not worked in the past.” Separately, Russia's foreign ministry used Telegram to name the US and Israel directly, condemning their “unprovoked military strikes” against Iran. Russia spared criticism, Ukraine mentioned once Despite Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, the BRICS declaration mentioned Ukraine only once, while condemning “in the strongest terms” recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. “We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly,” the declaration said. João Alfredo Nyegray, an international business and geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, said BRICS missed an opportunity to present itself as a unified alternative to global instability. BRICS summit opens in Brazil amid Trump tariff concerns “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about the level of representation for countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are confirming the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive pole of global leadership,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Trump tariffs loom as Brazil treads carefully While Lula advocated for reform of global institutions, Brazil avoided provocative topics to shield its economy from Trump’s threats of higher tariffs. Trump has already warned of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they attempt to undermine the US dollar. At last year’s BRICS summit hosted by Russia, the Kremlin pushed for alternatives to US-controlled payment systems to bypass sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Brazil deliberately steered the summit toward less controversial topics like boosting trade among members and global health cooperation, according to Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. Expansion and divisions within BRICS Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The group also created a new “strategic partner” category that includes Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. Brazil placed institutional development on the summit agenda to integrate new members and strengthen internal unity. Despite internal challenges, the summit remains significant for member states, particularly amid global tensions and Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher with the University of Sao Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. Protests and domestic backdrop Earlier Sunday, a pro-Israel group staged a protest on Rio’s Ipanema beach by placing dozens of rainbow flags, criticizing Iran's policies toward LGBT+ individuals. On Saturday, Amnesty International protested Brazil’s plans for offshore oil exploration near the Amazon River’s mouth. For Lula, the summit also provided a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including declining popularity and tensions with Congress. The event served as a platform to advance environmental protection commitments ahead of November’s COP 30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belém.

Brazil is hosting a two-day summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, where topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are expected to be addressed cautiously. Analysts say the lack of unity within the expanded BRICS, which doubled its membership last year, could limit its ability to emerge as a powerful alternative in global affairs. They also believe the summit’s moderate agenda reflects an effort to avoid drawing unwanted attention from Trump’s administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has placed issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the center of the summit, though several key leaders are absent. In his opening speech on Sunday, Lula warned, “We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism,” adding that the meeting is taking place “in the most adverse global scenario” of all four times Brazil has hosted the summit. He called on BRICS nations to promote peace and mediate conflicts. “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said. Notably absent from the summit is China’s President Xi Jinping, marking the first BRICS summit he has missed since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also absent but will join via videoconference, avoiding travel due to an international arrest warrant related to the invasion of Ukraine. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt’s Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi are also missing from the gathering in Rio de Janeiro. Three joint statements expected This year’s restrained approach marks a sharp contrast with last year’s summit in Kazan, Russia, where the Kremlin pushed to develop alternatives to U.S.-dominated financial systems to bypass Western sanctions following the Ukraine invasion. A source familiar with the summit’s negotiations said some members are pushing for stronger language regarding Gaza and Israel’s attack on Iran. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the talks publicly. “Brazil wants to keep the summit as technical as possible,” said Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation think tank. Observers now expect only a vague final declaration on Russia’s war in Ukraine and other Middle East conflicts. According to Stuenkel, the absence of Putin and Xi, who have advocated for a stronger anti-Western stance, makes it easier for Brazil and India to steer the summit toward non-alignment. A Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the summit is expected to produce three joint statements and a final declaration, “all of which less bounded by current geopolitical tensions.” The official spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak publicly. João Alfredo Nyegray, a geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, noted that the BRICS summit could have presented an alternative to global instability but is unlikely to do so. “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about representation from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE confirm the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive global leadership pole,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Turkey sends firefighting planes to Syria as raging wildfires devastate border regions Avoiding Trump’s tariffs Brazil, which currently chairs the bloc, has set six strategic priorities: global healthcare cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate change; governance for artificial intelligence; peace and security; and institutional development. The country has opted to focus on less controversial areas, such as strengthening trade and health cooperation, especially after Trump’s return to the White House, said Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. While Lula on Sunday called for reforming Western-led global institutions, a central policy for the bloc, Brazil is eager to avoid becoming a target for Trump’s tariffs — a situation it has so far mostly avoided. Trump has warned he would impose 100% tariffs against the bloc if it takes steps to undermine the U.S. dollar. ‘Best opportunity for emerging countries’ Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS group expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc also created a new category for 10 “strategic partner” countries, including Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. With this rapid expansion, Brazil has placed institutional development on the summit agenda to better integrate new members and improve cohesion. Despite the absence of key leaders, the summit remains important for emerging economies, especially amid the instability fueled by Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher at the University of São Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. For Lula, the summit provides a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including falling approval ratings and clashes with Congress. It also gives Brazil the opportunity to advance climate negotiations ahead of COP 30, the United Nations climate conference scheduled for November in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are among six nations invited Thursday (August 24, 2023) to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies. United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to join the bloc from 2024. The announcement was made at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country is the current BRICS chair. Also read: China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks BRICS is currently made up of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Those five members agreed at this week's summit to expand the bloc. It's the second time that BRICS has decided to expand. The bloc was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa was added in 2010. The BRICS bloc represents around 40% of the world's population and contributes more than a quarter of global GDP. Three of the group's other leaders are attending the summit and were present alongside Ramaphosa for the announcement, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Also read: BRICS: China, Russia and other emerging economies turn to main summit agenda in South Africa Russian President Vladimir Putin did not travel to the summit after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March for the abduction of children from Ukraine. He has participated in the summit virtually, while Russia was represented at the announcement in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

China will always stay beside Bangladesh in its needs that included supporting it in joining the BRICS and ensuring permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (August 23, 2023) evening gave the assurance in a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hotel Hilton Sandton here on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. The Chinese president also gave assurance of cooperation in making Bangladesh a developed, prosperous Sonar Bangla and taking initiative to quicken the signing of the Preferential-free Trade Agreement with Bangladesh and reducing the imbalance in China-Bangladesh trade. Also read: Unhindered democracy spurs Bangladesh’s advancement: PM Hasina Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters after the bilateral talks between the two leaders. During the meeting, he said, both the leaders invited one another to visit their respective countries at their convenient time and they have agreed to this respect. “I will always support you (Sheikh Hasina) as you can join the BRICS,” Momen quoted the Chinese president as saying l. Regarding the Rohingya issue, Xi wants to resolve the Rohingya issue through tripartite engagement of China, Bangladesh and Myanmar and assured that they will always support Bangladesh to this end. Also read: Join our journey of becoming a trillion-dollar economy: PM Hasina tells South African businesses “China will help Bangladesh in bringing a permanent solution to the Rohingya issue. ---we don’t want instability in the region,” he was quoted as saying by the foreign minister. Bangladesh prime minister said that her government wants to repatriate Rohingyas to their homeland citing that they are becoming threats for the peace of the region as many of them are engaged in illegal drugs and arms trading. Also read: PM Hasina reaches Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit “Peace is imperative for development,” she said. Xi also expressed his country’s keenness to help Bangladesh in the development of energy, renewable energy and infrastructure. “China will help you materialise your dream to build a developed and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ at the quickest possible time.” Hasina also sought the Chinese president’s help in quick implementation of some Chinese funded projects which are now being stuck for fund crisis while the Chinese leader is assured of looking into the matters. Read more: BRICS Summit 2023 unveils potential geopolitical paradigm shift: Modern Diplomacy During the talks, the prime inister stressed the need for reducing the trade gap between Bangladesh and China citing that Bangladesh has currently imported Chinese goods worth about 20 billion US dollars every year while China imported Bangladeshi goods worth only 700 million US dollars. The Chinese president in reply said they must address the issue and said that China has given duty and quota free access to 98 percent Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market. Hasina said that the trade gap between Bangladesh and China will be reduced if some Chinese investments come to Bangladesh. She also stressed the need for signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries. “We will take measures to quicken the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement between the countries,” Xi said in reply. Read more: BRICS Summit: Hasina, Modi likely to hold meeting on the sidelines Momen said that Bangladesh has expressed its eagerness to export fresh fruits such as mango, jackfruit, guava, fresh vegetables and cattle and poultry feeds to China. The Chinese leader assured them that they must consider it, Momen said. Bangladesh premier invited the Chinese President to visit Bangladesh to witness the opening of the Padma Rail Bridge to be held in October next. In reply, the Chinese president said that he will definitely come to Bangladesh. “But the time of visit will be fixed through talks between foreign ministers of both the countries.” Read more: 2023 BRICS Summit: Lot of interest in how new members are chosen and which countries would be eligible Xi Jingping also invited Bangladesh PM to visit China and in reply Sheikh Hasina said she will visit China. “But it may take time as she will be busy with the election campaign as the national election is knocking the door, the foreign minister said. Sheikh Hasina urged the Chinese President to widen the scope for Bangladeshi students to study in China while Xi assured of looking into the matter. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM's daughter and Thematic Ambassador of Climate Vulnerable Forum and Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed, PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Senior Secretary of Foreign Affairs Masud Bin Momen, were present in the meeting. Read more: Developed countries should be happy that BRICS would like to help developing nations: Momen

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Brazil on Tuesday to attend the 11th BRICS Summit to be held on Nov. 13-14.