“Powerful formation of Global South on global stage”: South African envoy hails BRICS as force reshaping world order

**South African High Commissioner praises BRICS as a reshaping force for the Global South**

*New Delhi, India – 7 September 2026* – In an interview with ANI ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled for later this week in New Delhi, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, highlighted the growing influence of the BRICS grouping on the global geopolitical, economic and financial landscape.

Sooklal said the emergence of BRICS has placed the Global South at the centre of international affairs, a shift from a system where the agenda had been dominated by a few powerful nations. “For the first time on the global stage, you have a powerful formation of the Global South,” he said. “The Global South was always on the margins.”

He described BRICS as a “powerful formation working not just for developing nations but for the wider global community.” While the bloc focuses on challenges faced by developing and emerging economies, Sooklal noted that the issues it addresses have worldwide implications.

The High Commissioner emphasized the significance of the upcoming summit, noting that the presence of leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa would signal the strategic importance of the grouping. “Their presence would constitute a very powerful statement about the significance of BRICS,” he said.

Sooklal also pointed out that India has assumed the BRICS presidency at a time of heightened geopolitical and economic tensions, citing the Gaza conflict, the Russia‑Ukraine war, the Iran‑US dispute and unilateral trade measures that have affected the global economy. He said the New Delhi summit would provide BRICS leaders an opportunity to discuss these challenges collectively.

The summit, themed “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” is expected to bring together BRICS leaders to deliberate on issues affecting both the Global South and the broader international community.

Article and image source: russiaherald.com