Why in the News?
For the first time as the 2026 BRICS Chair, India convened a meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys from BRICS and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries to address the escalating U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
What is BRICS-MENA?
A specialized consultative platform within the BRICS framework that brings together member states and key regional players from the Middle East and North Africa to coordinate on regional security and diplomacy.
BRICS Member Countries (2026):
- Founding: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- Expanded Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.
MENA Region Participants:
Beyond the BRICS members from the region (Iran, Egypt, UAE, Saudi), the MENA delegation includes key regional stakeholders such as:
- Gulf: Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq.
- Levant: Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria.
- North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya.
| [2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS; I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairmanship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS. III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] I and II [B] II and III [C] I and III [D] I only |
