NEW DELHI, INDIA— While the President has been invited to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, there is no discussion yet if the Philippines is actually joining the bloc.
The DFA earlier said joining the bloc of emerging economies will require further study.
"To the extent that I'm aware, there are no discussions to that effect as of the moment," said PH Ambassador to India Josel Ignacio. "Questions like these are subjected to rigorous study and review," he said.
Ignacio said the President's attendance is still significant as it allows him to observe the organization.
"I think our attendance here, the President's attendance here in this summit, allows us to have a – siguro a ringside view of the workings of this organization, of the BRICS, and increases our understanding of the organization," Ignacio said.
Marcos is set to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
"The presence of so many delegations here in so many countries that, as you say, we don't normally encounter, provides the President with an opportunity to get to know them, to interact, and to even exchange views on the issues of our time," he added.
"So I think it allows for networking, building rapport with other leaders, and certainly cross-fertilization of ideas," the envoy said.