Pakistan’s BRICS membership is expected to be confirmed during the bloc’s 19th annual summit in 2026, according to diplomatic sources. The South Asian nation formally applied for membership in 2023 and appears set to join new members in 2026 despite historical resistance from India. Right now, Pakistan stands as a leading candidate among countries seeking to join the alliance, which would expand BRICS total members from 11 to 12. This development confirms Pakistan’s active pursuit of full membership in the economic bloc.

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Pakistan’s formal application aims to strengthen its economic ties with the bloc’s member states. At the time of writing, the cooperation mechanism includes 11 full member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia that officially joined in January 2025.

Exploring BRICS Membership & Pakistan’s Role Among BRICS New Members in 2026

Pakistan’s Path to Membership Confirmation

Economic strategist and regional expert Dr. Mehmoodul Hassan Khan quoted diplomatic sources as saying:

“Pakistan is about to join BRICS in the upcoming annual meeting this year or the next year.”

The expansion would include Pakistan alongside the current BRICS total members. Additionally, 11 countries currently hold observer or partner status, including Vietnam that became a partner in June 2025. This expanded format, often referred to as the “greater BRICS family” or “BRICS+”, reflects the growing momentum and influence of the bloc in its new 11+11 configuration.

Economic Benefits Drive Membership Interest

Dr. Khan stated regarding the economic implications:

“Inclusion of Pakistan as the full member would open a new window of opportunity to further accelerate economic partnerships, seeking more inflows of foreign direct investments (FDIs), trade diversity, enhancing qualitative industrialisation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI).”

The current members represent over half the world’s population and contribute nearly 30% of global GDP. According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in 2024, BRICS collectively reached 4% GDP growth, significantly outpacing the global average. Pakistan’s inclusion would provide access to this economic powerhouse.

Today, the family represents over half of the world’s population, accounts for 20% of global trade, and contributes nearly 30% of global gross domestic product reflecting the growing appeal of the “BRICS spirit” of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.

Geopolitical Considerations and US Relations

When addressing concerns about US relations, Dr. Khan stated:

“Pakistan-US bilateral relations were in the right direction because of Pakistan’s emergence as an important and trustworthy ally in the South Asia, showing its strong willingness to promote regional peace and stability and international cooperation for achieving peaceful conflict resolution in the Middle East and South East Asia.”

He also noted about potential repercussions:

“Obviously the government and armed forces of Pakistan have been striving hard to create a strategic cushion by rebuilding sustainable diplomatic ties with the US and recent flurry visit of Field Marshal General Asim Munir to Washington DC has further strengthened ties of both the countries and resultantly the US is starting making investments in diverse sectors of economy of Pakistan mainly in metals & mining, renewables, education and health.”

Dr. Khan added:

“Chances are very bright that the government and military brass would be in a better position to convince US President Donald Trump about its expected and imminent inclusion in the BRICS as a full member.”

Pakistan’s expected inclusion has been answered through formal application and diplomatic efforts. Despite India’s previous opposition, increasing diplomatic and political support of China, Russia and other members has brightened Pakistan’s inclusion as the full member.

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Dr. Khan dictates that the inclusion of Pakistan would have multiplier socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic impacts. The geographic location that links South Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East is a plus to the inclusion in the framework.