The 16th BRICS summit will be held in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan Republic, from October 22-24.  The event is expected to attract 20,000 high-profile guests from around the world, including 36 heads of state.

The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the key issue will be determining the status of BRICS partners.  He noted that the expansion trajectory of BRICS is not limitless.  Therefore, the member countries will need to decide on the number and criteria for potential partners.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in mid-September that the summit plans to approve a package of agreements on cooperation in various sectors.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov notes that another important issue to be discussed at the summit is the creation of an independent and sanction-resistant payment and settlement infrastructure.  According to him, this infrastructure is “a key element in strengthening the autonomy and financial sovereignty of BRICS countries."

"De-dollarization is becoming an objective global trend.  Not only BRICS countries but several other states are striving to reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar, which is explained by growing distrust in the reliability of the Western financial system..." he said in an interview with Novoye Vostochnoye Obozreniye (New Eastern Outlook) on September 12.

Meanwhile, Ryabkov recently stated that BRICS expansion should not become an end in itself, and the issue of a single currency is premature, as countries have significant differences in their regulatory approaches.

Many experts view BRICS as a counterweight to the G7.

American news agency Bloomberg wrote this summer that BRICS expansion makes it "a stronger counterweight" to the G7, as it seeks to challenge U.S. dominance on the world stage.  Agency analysts consider BRICS more of a political rather than an economic bloc.

As for Tajikistan’s membership in BRICS, it is important to first understand that BRICS is more of a club of interests, which includes major second-world economies (developing countries).
Joint decisions that are included in the final document of the alliance are non-binding and are purely advisory.

Tajikistan was first invited to a BRICS summit in 2017, when China chaired the organization.
Whether the republic’s leadership will participate in the Kazan summit and whether it has been invited at all is not yet known.

According to local experts, Tajikistan may only be able to obtain observer status in BRICS in the near future.  To become a full-fledged member, the country must have a corresponding level of socio-economic and defense potential, as well as significant political weight on the international stage.
In any case, they note, participation in BRICS, even as an observer, brings certain benefits to the republic.

First, it provides an additional platform for negotiations on cooperation in various areas, both multilaterally and bilaterally.

Furthermore, joining BRICS makes the New Development Bank’s loans accessible, which were created by member countries to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development.  The initial capital of this bank is $100 billion.  Tajikistan is in dire need of cheap (preferential) loans, and the NDB could become another source of such funding.

Thus, the question of whether Tajikistan should join BRICS requires a thorough analysis, taking into account both the opportunities and challenges for the country.  BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) represents an alliance of emerging economies seeking to strengthen their positions on the global stage.  As a developing country with limited economic and political influence, Tajikistan could potentially benefit from participating in this alliance.

Potential benefits for Tajikistan

Economic opportunities: Participation in BRICS, even as an observer, opens doors for cooperation with leading emerging economies. One important benefit could be access to loans from the New Development Bank, which is particularly relevant for Tajikistan, as it needs financing for infrastructure projects and sustainable development.

Political platform: BRICS provides an opportunity to negotiate on a wide range of issues—from trade to security—at both multilateral and bilateral levels.  This could enhance Tajikistan’s international standing and strengthen its political ties with key global players.

Access to alternative financial instruments: Amid the global trend of de-dollarization and the creation of independent payment infrastructures within BRICS, Tajikistan could gain access to new financial mechanisms that reduce dependence on Western institutions.

Challenges and obstacles

Socio-economic limitations: As local experts point out, full membership in BRICS would require Tajikistan to reach a higher level of economic development and political significance. For now, the country would most likely only be able to obtain observer status.

Differences in approaches: The idea of creating a common currency or full financial integration remains premature due to the varying levels of economic development among BRICS members.  This could also be a challenge for Tajikistan, which has its own internal economic priorities and limitations.

Conclusion

At this stage, Tajikistan’s participation in BRICS will likely be limited to observer status, which still offers significant advantages.  It provides the opportunity to strengthen international ties, gain access to financial resources, and increase its relevance on the international stage.  If Tajikistan were to pursue full membership in BRICS, it would require further economic growth and enhanced political influence.