Turkey has renewed its efforts to join the BRICS alliance in 2026, but this time is seeking China’s help to secure membership. Despite submitting a formal application in 2024, the country was denied full membership in the alliance. However, the transcontinental nation is actively seeking to join the bloc and deepen its ties with existing members.
Turkey’s new Ambassador to China, Selçuk Ünal, is holding talks with Beijing to secure a full BRICS membership. Ankara is yet again demonstrating interest in being a part of the grouping to give the alliance a financial boost. Apart from Turkey, even Pakistan remains in talks with China to join the bloc. India is firmly against Pakistan’s inclusion, as both nations have been at odds for decades.
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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.
