Wickremesinghe Dismisses Trump’s Attack on BRICS, Says Group is ‘Here to Stay’

by Our Correspondent in Muscat, Oman

Former President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, delivered a bold statement at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference, asserting that the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group is here to stay, despite opposition from current U.S. President Donald Trump. Wickremesinghe was speaking at the conference organized by the India Foundation, in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman.

In his speech, Wickremesinghe dismissed Trump’s efforts to challenge the BRICS bloc, emphasizing that the growing economic and geopolitical influence of the group cannot be undermined. He remarked, “We have formed BRICS. BRICS is here to stay,” reaffirming his confidence in the future of the group.

The former Sri Lankan leader pointed out the resilience of BRICS, even in the face of Western sanctions aimed at Russia, stating that such measures have proven ineffective in curbing Russia’s economic activities. “The BRICS and wheat support, and Russia has still functioned. All the Western sanctions were of no use,” he said.

Wickremesinghe also expressed skepticism about Trump’s plan to undermine the alliance, asserting that “I don’t think even President Trump’s plans to move BRICS will succeed.” His remarks highlight a broader sentiment shared by many in the global South, who view BRICS as a counterbalance to Western economic dominance.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts towards the Indian Ocean region, with increasing economic dynamism from countries like India, China, and Indonesia, BRICS is seen as a key player in shaping future global power dynamics. The group’s enduring strength, according to Wickremesinghe, lies in its diverse membership and its ability to provide economic alternatives to traditional Western-led institutions.

His remarks underscore the importance of BRICS in the emerging multipolar world order, with the group poised to play a pivotal role in the global economy and geopolitical affairs, especially as the balance of power continues to shift from the West to the East.