Saudi Arabia Needs to 'Think Long' to Join BRICS, Whose Heart Do You Want?

<p>&nbsp;Saudi Arabia is still considering an offer to become a member of BRICS since it was asked to join it last year. BRICS also invited the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Argentina and Ethiopia also starting this year.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, Argentina has rejected the invitation since last November.</p><p><br /></p><p>According to sources, January 1 is not the time to make a decision. The reason that strengthens the hope of the offer is that China and India are also the largest trading partners of the group.</p><p><br /></p><p>Saudi Arabia is still in the evaluation phase before making a decision. The group will add economic growth to the BRICS members just like its current members China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy, Faisal Alibrahim confirmed that the government is still in the process of making a decision to join the group. Saudi Arabia is a government that has various directions and institutions and they have to go through various long processes until the final phase.</p><p><br /></p><p>Riyadh has to go through a difficult phase because of the growing geopolitical tensions between the United States, China and Russia. Currently, China and Russia have a little conflict with the US from various aspects.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States are very strong, joining the group could have side effects on diplomatic relations for the two countries.</p><p><br /></p><p>Last Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's Trade Minister stated that they are not joining the BRICS in a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry, Saudi Arabia is an important weapon in strengthening the economic group.</p><p><br /></p><p>Based on the UAE's position, fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said that they accepted the group's invitation for economic reasons rather than political ones.</p>