Türkiye’s membership in BRICS will strengthen the global south

While the global balances in the world are giving signals of change, Türkiye's joining BRICS will be a very important step in terms of strengthening the global south.

When I wrote the article titled “Is it possible to see Türkiye into BRICS?” before the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa last year, Türkiye had no application for BRICS. I highlighted in my article that Türkiye shares five common values with the BRICS countries (union of developing countries, advocacy of multipolarity, union of producing countries, union of oppressed and dynamic countries) and that Türkiye should join BRICS. Firstly, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to China gave the first positive green light to BRICS.[1] Then Fidan’s participation in the BRICS foreign ministerial summit was the most important signal for Türkiye to join. In an interview with the Global Times, Turkish ambassador to Beijing, Ismail Hakki Musa, said that Türkiye had sent a letter to Russia to join BRICS in early 2024.[2] Now, Türkiye has announced that it has applied to join BRICS. It is even advocated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will attend the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan, Russia on October 22-24.

While the global balances in the world are giving signals of change, Türkiye’s joining BRICS will be a very important step in terms of strengthening the global south. Because Türkiye is an important regional and global actor. In addition, Türkiye has an important heritage tradition such as the Ottoman Empire, which was a global actor in history. Türkiye also wants to gain an important place in the new world order with an organization such as the Organization of Turkic States, which is increasing its institutionalization today. 

The BRICS heads of state leaders’ summit, which will be held in Kazan, Russia on October 22-24, is likely to make a big impact. In particular, the expansion of BRICS in January with the participation of the Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) attracted all the attention once again. Today, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Thailand and Malaysia have also applied to join BRICS, and it is possible to say that this growth has been effective in strengthening their desire to join. As a second chain, the inclusion of new countries in the BRICS group will further strengthen the global south. In this way, the global south will become both more organized and more powerful.

The role of Türkiye’s deepening cooperation with Russia and China in BRICS membership

It should be emphasized that Russia’s chairmanship of BRICS is an important factor in Türkiye’s orientation towards BRICS. Russia in particular has played an important role in Türkiye’s rapprochement with Asian countries in recent years. Türkiye’s deepening economic and strengthening political ties with Russia over the last quarter-century have played a positive role in Türkiye’s increased cooperation. The construction of Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, the acquisition of the S-400 air defense system, Türkiye being one of Russia’s top oil exporters, Russia being one of Türkiye’s top exporters, partnership in major pipeline projects such as the Blue Stream and the Turkish Stream, and an average of 5-6 million Russian tourists coming to Türkiye each year are just a few examples. In addition, Türkiye is also aware of China’s economic rise and seeks economic gains by developing cooperation with China. For example, in recent months, Türkiye’s relations with China have accelerated, attracting major investments such as electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and increasing the number of direct flights from Istanbul to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Urumqi.

Of course, Türkiye’s application for BRICS membership has sparked a major debate both in Türkiye and in the West. As a NATO member and European Union (EU) candidate, Türkiye’s turn towards BRICS is seen as a break with the West. In order to prevent Türkiye from developing its relations with the global south, Türkiye may be given a carrot in the form of EU membership and Türkiye’s shift towards BRICS may be prevented. For example, Spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union Peter Stano stated that Türkiye’s ‘candidate status’ for EU membership continues ‘despite’ its BRICS application and called on Ankara to ‘adhere to EU values’. Argentina, which had been keen to join BRICS, announced that it would not do so after the election of new President Javier Milei. Even NATO member Türkiye’s purchase of the S-400 air defense system caused a stir. The US sanctions were imposed on Turkey under CAATSA, which resulted in Türkiye being kicked out from the F-35 program and not even having the fighter jets it had purchased delivered to it. Washington will likely pressure Ankara to abandon BRICS. In sum, unless Türkiye completes the process of becoming a member of BRICS, it will threaten to withdraw its membership.

Whatever the outcome, Türkiye’s destiny is aligned with the global south.

Whatever happens, Türkiye’s economic and political destiny depends on developing cooperation with the countries of the global south. Türkiye’s place is in the global south and sooner or later Türkiye will be part of this club. This is because Türkiye is a developing economy, complains about the current international system and emphasizes the need for a just world order. Moreover, Türkiye is an oppressed country that is not in the western camp and has always been the voice of oppressed countries. In this respect, Türkiye shares historical commonalities with the countries of the global south. In recent years, Türkiye has been deepening its relations with countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Türkiye’s strong historical heritage, developing economy, young and dynamic structure will make an important contribution to the BRICS group. In addition, Türkiye is aware that the world is in a stage of great change and is striving to gain a strong position in the new world order. In 1964, in his response to US President Johnson, who sent a letter full of arrogant statements, Prime Minister İsmet İnönü said: “A new world will be established and Turkey will find its place in this world”. Yes, a new world order is being established and Türkiye is strongly expressing with its BRICS membership that it wants to be hand in hand with the countries of the global south in this new world order.

The views contained in this article are the author’s alone and do not represent the views of Shanghai University.


[1] SCMP, China eyes closer ties with Turkey to take on global ‘power politics’, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3265328/turkey-sees-brics-economic-potential-it-waits-full-eu-membership

[2] Global Times, Turkey does not subscribe to anti-China rhetoric, hopes to enhance economic cooperation with Beijing: Ambassador, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1315880.shtml

Necati Demircan
Necati Demircan
Necati Demircan is a PhD candidate in Global Studies and research assistant of Center for Turkish Studies at Shanghai University. He is editor of the Belt & Road Initiative Quarterly. His articles were published by the Aydınlık newspaper, China Daily, and Hankyoreh. His research interests mainly focus on Chinese and Turkish foreign policies