Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino announced the country’s decision not to pursue BRICS membership, favoring stronger ties with the Mercosur bloc instead. This decision follows President Javier Milei’s election and reflects Argentina’s desire to avoid entanglement in BRICS’ political dynamics while emphasizing enhanced cooperation with India.
During her visit to Delhi, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino stated that Argentina is not interested in joining the BRICS group. Although Argentina was one of six nations invited to join BRICS at the South Africa summit in August 2023, Mondino emphasized the country’s preference for strengthening ties with the Mercosur bloc rather than becoming part of BRICS. She stated, “politically we do not want to be hitched to anyone, we are far more interested in Mercosur rather than becoming one of the members of BRICS.” Mercosur, which stands for the Southern Common Market, aims to promote free trade and the movement of goods and services among its member nations. Following the election of President Javier Milei in late 2023, Argentina officially retracted its application to join BRICS. Mondino confirmed that letters were dispatched to the original BRICS members—including India, China, South Africa, Russia, and Brazil—informing them of Argentina’s decision to withdraw from consideration for membership. While acknowledging the potential benefits of BRICS in capital markets and economic growth, Mondino reiterated the country’s desire to avoid entanglement in the political dynamics of the grouping, stating, “We do not want to be burdened with whatever politics anybody else has. We do not want anybody’s agenda.” As BRICS has emerged as a substantial counterbalance to Western economic forums such as the G7, Argentina’s withdrawal marks a significant shift in its diplomatic alignments. Minister Mondino is currently in Delhi for joint commission discussions aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade, agriculture, and defence. She expressed optimism about Argentina’s role in supporting India’s food and energy security, highlighting the importance of establishing a strategic partnership between the two nations. “It is in this new stage that Argentina can play a great role in terms of food and energy security for India,” she declared, underscoring Argentina’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with India through shared strategic interests.
The statement by Foreign Minister Diana Mondino comes at a pivotal moment as Argentina was recently invited to join BRICS, a coalition of major emerging economies that has gained influence since its inception. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded its membership to include countries that seek to diversify economic partnerships beyond Western influences. Argentina’s interest in Mercosur reflects a regional strategy for economic integration in South America, prioritizing local alliances over broader, potentially more politically complex arrangements.
In summary, Argentina’s decision to decline BRICS membership, as articulated by Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, aligns with the country’s strategic focus on Mercosur and regional partnerships. Despite recognizing the potential advantages of BRICS, Argentina seeks to maintain its political independence and prioritize economic cooperation closer to home. The ongoing discussions between Argentina and India signify a commitment to developing a strategic relationship that leverages Argentina’s strengths in food and energy.
Original Source: www.wionews.com
