Malaysia has formally applied to join the BRICS group, as confirmed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The application has been submitted to Russia, which currently chairs the organisation. This move underscores Malaysia's ambition to be part of the influential economic bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a crucial meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council in Astana on Wednesday.