During a visit to Delhi, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino stated that Argentina is not interested in joining BRICS, despite prior invitations. She emphasized strong economic ties with BRICS nations but prioritized regional cooperation through Mercosur. Following the election of President Milei, Argentina officially withdrew its interest in BRICS membership, asserting a preference for independent political agendas and stronger bilateral relations with India.
During her visit to Delhi, Argentina’s Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, publicly stated that Argentina has no interest in joining the BRICS grouping, despite being invited to do so during the South Africa summit in August 2023. Mondino emphasized Argentina’s strong economic links with individual BRICS nations but clarified that politically, Argentina does not wish to align itself with any bloc. Instead, she expressed a greater interest in strengthening relationships within Mercosur, the Southern Common Market. Following the election of President Javier Milei in late 2023, Argentina formally rescinded its intention to join BRICS, as confirmed by Mondino through letters sent to the bloc’s founding members: India, China, South Africa, Russia, and Brazil. She acknowledged the potential benefits of BRICS for capital markets but asserted, “We don’t want to be burdened with whatever politics anybody else has. We don’t want anybody’s agenda.” BRICS, which emerged in the early 2000s, is viewed as a counterweight to Western-dominated economic platforms like the G7, with numerous nations eager to join. In 2023, BRICS announced the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia, alongside Argentina. As the BRICS summit approaches in Kazan, Russia, further discussions regarding expansion and trade using national currencies are anticipated. Additionally, during her discussions in Delhi, key areas of focus included trade, agriculture, health, and defense ties. Mondino highlighted Argentina’s strategic role in ensuring food and energy security for India, signaling the potential for a strong partnership between the two countries.
Non-alignment in international political and economic relations has always been a complex issue, particularly for nations like Argentina that are navigating multiple global affiliations. The BRICS grouping has gained prominence as a collective that challenges Western economic hegemony, yet not all invited countries view membership as advantageous. Argentina’s decision reflects a desire to prioritize regional integrations, particularly with Mercosur, which focuses on local economic collaboration.
In summary, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino declared her country’s disinterest in BRICS membership during her visit to Delhi, highlighting a preference for stronger alliances within Mercosur. Argentina’s withdrawal follows its invitation to BRICS membership earlier in 2023 and is indicative of a broader strategy focused on regional partnerships over political alignments with broader international blocs.
Original Source: www.wionews.com
