ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey is anticipating the designation of “partner country” status with the BRICS group of developing nations, as revealed by the nation’s trade minister on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Turkey submitted a request for full membership within BRICS, aiming to bolster its connections with both Eastern and Western partners. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently participated in the group’s summit in Russia last month.

During a parliamentary committee session, Trade Minister Omer Bolat disclosed that Turkey’s application was discussed at the recent summit held in Kazan. The state-run Anadolu Agency reported Bolat mentioning, “It is understood that they will respond to us (by offering) a partner country status.”

Bolat also refuted allegations suggesting that India blocked Turkey’s full inclusion in BRICS due to Turkey’s established relations with rival Pakistan. “There is no question of India vetoing our membership,” Bolat asserted.

Established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS welcomed South Africa into its ranks in 2010, and has since expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.

For over two decades, Erdogan has worked to promote a more autonomous foreign policy for Turkey and to increase its influence on the global stage. As a NATO member, Turkey has expressed dissatisfaction with the stalled negotiations regarding its membership in the European Union.

The BRICS alliance aims to amplify the voices of major emerging markets to challenge what they view as a Western-dominated global framework. Founding members have advocated for reforms in international institutions, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.