New delhi: Disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over supply chain resilience and economic sustainability, are expected to be among the hot topics of discussions at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that will take place here on May 14 and 15.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa said the current instability in the Middle East and wider geopolitical tensions were closely linked to the agenda of the BRICS open session themed '[email protected]: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.

Muzafar Shah highlighted that there would likely be statements by different countries on the global situation, especially concerning the ongoing issues in the Middle East. He emphasized that the conflict has affected many nations in various ways, particularly in terms of supply chain disruptions.

The High Commissioner pointed out that disruptions involving critical global trade routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, could have significant implications for the global economy and geopolitical stability. He noted that BRICS aims to promote a more inclusive and sustainable resilience in terms of supply chains.

Muzafar Shah remarked that although BRICS is not a permanent organization like the United Nations, its members and partner countries could leverage the platform to exchange views and seek common understanding in addressing global disruptions. He expressed hope that any understanding reached at the BRICS level would provide a direction for addressing issues such as the Middle East conflict.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, represents a major share of the global population and economy, encompassing approximately 3.87 billion people, or around 48.8 percent of the global population. As of 2025, the collective gross domestic product (GDP) of BRICS member countries is projected at approximately USD 32 trillion, representing around 28.5 percent of global output.

Malaysia, along with Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, will become BRICS Partner Countries starting January 1, 2025, while Nigeria obtained BRICS Partner Country status on January 17, and Vietnam on June 13 of the same year.