China, Russia and South Africa are mostly in favor of expansion, while India and Brazil seek a clear process for admitting new members that is acceptable to the entire group.
BRICS currently accounts for more than 40% of the world’s population and about 26% of the global economy. Some 30 countries have expressed interest, and over a dozen have already submitted formal applications to join BRICS.
Brazil is concerned that the group will lose credibility if other countries are admitted. India, on the other hand, “has reservations about expansion,” believing that new members should be admitted only “through consensus.”
Brazil will insist at the upcoming summit that any expansion should be gradual, maintain regional balance and keep pre-eminent roles for the five permanent members, sources said.
New members could be admitted as partner countries participating in summits without becoming full members as in other international organizations, they added.