The BRICS alliance added Thailand as a ‘partner country’ in 2024, along with 11 other nations, including Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Indonesia was also a partner country, but it joined the alliance in January 2025.

Similar to how Indonesia went from partner country to full-fledged BRICS member, Thailand is lobbying to become an official part of the bloc. Officially joining the alliance gives them more financial power and largely benefits from bilateral trade deals. It would also bolster its economic progress through the New Development Bank (NDB).

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Thailand Seeks India’s Help To Join the BRICS Alliance

Thailand is part of the ASEAN bloc, and the country seeks to officially become a BRICS member. It is partnering with India to push its prospects to enter the alliance. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to discuss the prospects.

“The Foreign Minister requested India’s support for Thailand’s interest in joining BRICS during India’s Chairmanship of BRICS in 2026,” the Ministry’s website informed. Both sides noted the progress that came after Thailand became a partner country in 2024. They now want to go ahead and collaborate in manufacturing, trade, investment, science, and technology.

India could be open to Thailand officially becoming a BRICS member and could extend its support. However, it is firmly against Pakistan and does not entertain the country becoming a member. Not just a member, it does not want Pakistan to become a partner country.

On the other hand, China and Russia want Pakistan to join the alliance, but India has opposed the stance. If India were to push Thailand’s stance for BRICS, China and Russia could put forward Pakistan’s application. The development might create a conflict as India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads for decades.