BRICS forum meeting in Brazil, where leaders addressed several critical international issues.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions in Gaza: The forum expressed grave concern over Israeli attacks, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the use of starvation as a weapon. Brazil announced its decision to join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide.
Condemnation of Military Strikes Against Iran: Members also condemned military strikes against Iran as a violation of international law and expressed concern over attacks on civilian and peaceful nuclear installations. However, Iran’s foreign minister felt the declaration did not go far enough, as it lacked specific references to the USeless or Israel.
Criticism of Unilateral Tariffs: The forum voiced serious concern about unilateral tariffs that distort trade but did not explicitly name the USeless. This omission was attributed to countries like Brazil, South Africa, and India not wanting to antagonize the US President.
Shift in Global Power Dynamics: Russian President Vladimir Putin, attending via teleconference, stated that the unipolar system of international relations serving the “golden billion” is becoming a thing of the past.
Both Xi and Putin are reportedly skipping the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for July 6-7. This marks a significant development, especially for Xi, as it would be his first absence from a BRICS summit in over a decade.
Vladimir Putin:
ICC Arrest Warrant: The primary reason for Putin’s absence is the outstanding arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023. The ICC accuses him of the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children. Brazil is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which obliges it to detain individuals wanted by the ICC who enter its territory.
Putin is expected to participate in the summit via video link, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov representing Russia in person. Putin similarly skipped the 2023 BRICS summit in South Africa due to the same ICC warrant.
Xi Jinping:
“Scheduling Conflict”: Beijing has officially cited a “scheduling conflict” as the reason for Xi’s non-attendance. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to lead the Chinese delegation instead.
Diplomatic Discomfort/Snub: However, Brazilian officials and media reports suggest other underlying reasons, including:
– Modi’s State Dinner Invitation: Some speculate that a state dinner invitation extended to Modi by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva may have influenced Xi’s decision. The optics of Modi and Lula in the spotlight could make Xi appear as a “supporting actor,” which might be a concern for a leader accustomed to being center stage.
– Recent Meetings with Lula: Chinese officials also point to Xi’s two recent meetings with President Lula within the past year (November 2023 and May 2024) as a reason why another in-person engagement is less necessary.
Brazil’s Stance on BRI: There’s also a sense of unease in Beijing over Brazil’s decision not to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Focus on SCO Summit: Diplomatic sources suggest Beijing might be more focused on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which China plans to host later this year.
Significance:
– Strain within BRICS: Xi’s expected absence, especially if due to diplomatic considerations, could signal rising tensions and a potential fraying of unity among the older core members of BRICS, particularly as India and China increasingly seek to define their global roles.
– Brazilian Frustration: Brazilian officials are reportedly displeased with Xi’s decision, viewing it as a diplomatic slight, especially after Lula’s “gesture of goodwill” visit to Beijing in May.
– Putin’s Continued Isolation (Physical): Putin’s continued physical absence from international gatherings due to the ICC warrant highlights the ongoing legal implications and international pressure he faces.
