Diplomatic failure: Pakistan not invited at BRICS Summit hosted by China

In a recent diplomatic failure of the coalition government led by PML-N with its major ally PPP, Pakistan was not invited by China at BRICS Summit 2022,

In a recent diplomatic failure of the coalition government led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) with its major ally Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan was not invited by China at BRICS Summit 2022 in which Beijing committed to global unity and cooperation besides seeking strength through unity among emerging markets and developing countries.

Besides the leaders of the BRICS member states, China had invited leaders of 13 countries for the event, seen to be Beijing’s push to expand the five-member bloc. These include Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Malaysia and Thailand.

In his keynote speech on Wednesday, Xi said despite changes in an evolving global environment, the historical trend of openness and development will not reverse course, and the shared desire to meet challenges together through cooperation will remain as strong as ever.

When hosting the 14th BRICS Summit via video link on Thursday, Xi stressed that the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, follows the philosophy that humanity is an indivisible security community, and aims to create a new path to security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum.

“China would like to work with BRICS partners to operationalize the GSI and bring more stability and positive energy to the world,” Xi Jinping quoted by Xinhua.

To muster concerted efforts and chart the course for global development ranks high on the agenda of the BRICS cooperation.

When chairing the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on Friday in virtual format, Xi called for forging high-quality partnership for a new era of global development.

“We must get a good grasp of the overarching development trend in the world, firm up confidence, and act in unison and with great motivation to promote global development and foster a development paradigm featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity,” he said.

Xi noted that at last year’s UN General Assembly session, he put forth the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

“China will take pragmatic steps to give continued support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Xi said.

The BRICS mechanism has been taken by many around the world as an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries, which is expected to bring positive, stabilizing and constructive strength to the world.

FO regrets blockage of Pakistan’s participation

In a media statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, “Regrettably one member blocked Pakistan’s participation . However, we do hope that future engagement of the organization would be based on the principles of inclusivity keeping in view the overall interests of the developing world and in a manner that is devoid of narrow geo-political considerations.”

Responding to media queries about a ‘High-level Dialogue on Global Development’ held virtually on sidelines of the BRICS meetings, the FO spokesperson said, “Pakistan congratulates China on the successful hosting of the BRICS meetings. We have noted that this year a “High-level Dialogue on Global Development” was held as a BRICS side event in which a number of developing/emerging economies were invited.”

“China being the host country engaged with Pakistan prior to the BRICS meetings, where decisions are taken after consultations with all BRICS members, including extending invitation to non-members. Regrettably one member blocked Pakistan’s participation . However, we do hope that future engagement of the organization would be based on the principles of inclusivity keeping in view the overall interests of the developing world and in a manner that is devoid of narrow geo-political considerations.”

“We appreciate China’s role in promoting the interests of the developing countries. Together with China, Pakistan has been a strong voice for global peace, shared prosperity and inclusive development. Pakistan is the current chair of G77+China and also part of group of friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).”

“Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners and our iron brotherhood remains rock solid. The two countries are fully committed to take our all-round cooperation to higher levels both bilaterally and multilaterally. Pakistan stands ready to work with all developing countries, including the BRICS members for addressing the challenges faced by the global community,” it concluded.

Dr Hassan Bhatti wrote on Twitter, “A big diplomatic failure of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as China invited 13 other countries but not Pakistan. While previously Imran Khan was a Keynote speaker at Second Belt and Road Forum. Likewise, Pakistan got special importance from China at the SCO summit.”

Journalist Kamran Yousaf said that the FO has confirmed that Pakistan was not invited to BRICS by China following the opposition of India. He added that it is concerning that India vetoed Pakistan’s participation in the presence of China.

The diplomatic failure was witnessed at a time when FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had paid an official visit to Beijing in May and there are reports of a visit scheduled for Prime Minister Shehbaz to China in the coming days.

Other News

Back to top button