US plays down BRICS bloc expansion
Updated | By AFP
The United States on
Thursday played down the admission of six new members to the BRICS bloc of
developing nations, saying it would keep working with partners around the
world.

At a summit in South Africa, the BRICS -- which includes key US adversaries China and Russia -- said it would admit new members including Iran, an arch-nemesis of the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
"The United States reiterates its belief that countries may choose the partners and groupings with whom they will associate," a State Department spokesperson said.
READ: BRICS to admit six new members next year
"We will continue to work with our partners and allies in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora to strengthen our shared prosperity and uphold global peace and security. "
One closely watched player has been India, another BRICS member which has also been assiduously courted by the United States.
India will lead a summit next month in New Delhi of the Group of 20, which brings together major developed as well as emerging economies.
ALSO READ: Ethiopia PM hails BRICS entry as 'great moment'
Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden's national security advisor, discussed the G20 summit as well as support for Ukraine in a meeting at the White House on Thursday with counterparts from Britain, France, Germany and Italy.
The Western powers want "strong outcomes" in New Delhi that will work to "demonstrating the G20's role as the premier forum for economic cooperation, driving an affirmative and ambitious agenda for developing and emerging countries," a White House statement said.
The BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1.
NOW READ: Iran hails BRICS membership as 'success for foreign policy'

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