US suffers from dollar phobia, not BRICS: South Africa envoy Anil Sooklal

Source: Livemint | Original Published At: 2026-10-20 10:40:48 UTC

Key Points

• South Africa's high commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, said BRICS is not pursuing a common currency.
• He said the grouping is focused on expanding trade in local currencies and developing alternative payment systems to reduce dependence on the US dollar.
• Sooklal said the New Delhi Declaration was achieved through months of Indian diplomacy and engagement among BRICS members.
• He credited India's chairship and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationships with Russia, China, Iran, and the UAE for helping bridge differences within BRICS.
• Sooklal said African members Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa helped build consensus, particularly in engaging Iran.
• He described BRICS cohesion as a response to a fragmented global order and contrasted it with expectations of no G20 declaration this year.