Turkey’s BRICS Ambition Accelerates With China’s Backing - Geopolitical Shift in Motion

Forget quiet diplomacy—Turkey's push to join the BRICS bloc just got a powerful tailwind from Beijing. This isn't just another membership application; it's a calculated geopolitical maneuver that could redraw economic alliances and challenge the old guard's dominance.

The Strategic Play

China's support cuts through the usual bureaucratic inertia. It signals a deliberate effort to expand the coalition's influence right on NATO's doorstep. The move bypasses traditional accession channels, leveraging bilateral partnerships to fast-track a process that typically moves at a glacial pace.

Why It Matters Now

The timing is everything. With global trade flows fragmenting, Turkey represents a crucial bridge between East and West. Its inclusion would bolster BRICS' geographic and economic footprint, offering an alternative framework for trade and investment—one that doesn't rely on Western-led institutions. Think of it as building a parallel financial highway while the old roads are under repair.

The Ripple Effect

Markets hate uncertainty, but they love new corridors for capital. This development pressures traditional alliances and could accelerate de-dollarization efforts in emerging markets. It's a long-term play for influence, where economic partnerships become the new currency of power.

One cynical take? Watch the usual financial pundits dismiss this as 'political theater' right up until their spreadsheets show capital flowing east—then suddenly it's a 'strategic opportunity.' The real money moves before the headlines catch up.

Will Turkey Join BRICS in 2026? Here’s How Many Countries Are Awaiting Membership Approval

The upcoming BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in India’s capital, New Delhi, this year. The dates are yet to be announced, and we could see a flood of changes this time around. The induction into BRICS is consensus-based and needs the approval of all existing members for Turkey to be a part of the bloc.

If all BRICS members unanimously agree for Turkey to join BRICS, then the country will be inducted in 2026. A total of 45 countries have already expressed their interest in joining the bloc. Around 23 countries have formally submitted their applications, while the others have informally expressed their interest.

Not all of them will be inducted into BRICS, and Turkey might or might not be one of them. The alliance will weigh in on the pros and cons of induction and what the country can offer financially, and bring in changes to the table. Whether the transcontinental nation will make it this year, the answer will come at the 2026 summit.