• China hosted High-level Dialogue on Global Development
• Pakistan was not invited to the event.
• Pakistan’s invitation was reportedly blocked by India.

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has confirmed that Pakistan’s invitation to a development dialogue held in China on June 24 was blocked by a BRICS member.

BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year, China hosted a BRICS event and invited 13 other countries. The absence of Pakistan from the event had raised eyebrows amid Beijing’s push to expand the bloc.

Responding to media queries about a ‘High-level Dialogue on Global Development’ held virtually on the sidelines of the BRICS meetings, the Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that “regrettably” one member blocked Pakistan’s participation.

The spokesperson said Pakistan congratulates China on the successful hosting of the BRICS meetings. He noted that a “High-level Dialogue on Global Development” was held as a BRICS side event in which a number of developing/emerging economies were invited.

“China being the host country engaged with Pakistan prior to the BRICS meetings, where decisions are taken after consultations with all BRICS members, including extending invitation to non-members,” the spokesperson added.

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Without naming any country, the spokesperson said one BRICS member blocked Pakistan’s participation in the event.

“We hope that future engagement would be based on the principles of inclusivity keeping in view the overall interests of the developing world and in a manner that is devoid of narrow geo-political considerations,” the statement added.

The Foreign Office appreciated China’s role in promoting the interests of the developing countries. it added that together with China, Pakistan has been a strong voice for global peace, shared prosperity and inclusive development.

Pakistan is the current chair of G77+China and also part of group of friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

“Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners and our iron brotherhood remains rock solid. The two countries are fully committed to take our all-round cooperation to higher levels both bilaterally and multilaterally.”

“Pakistan stands ready to work with all developing countries, including the BRICS members for addressing the challenges faced by the global community,” it concluded.