Overchuk said discussions about Malaysia’s potential entry into BRICS as a full member were ongoing.

“BRICS is a group of countries that build relationships based on mutual respect and the principle of consensus. Nobody is imposing anything on anybody within BRICS.

“Countries exchange views on global issues and common approaches to strategic challenges that shape our modern world. In that sense, Malaysia fits that criteria quite well,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here today.

Last year, Malaysia was recognised as one of the 13 BRICS partner countries.

BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies, with South Africa joining in 2010.

The bloc has since expanded to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.

Other partner nations include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Partner countries have engagement with BRICS initiatives but do not have full decision-making rights within the group.

Overchuk also highlighted Russia’s growing engagement with Asean, calling the region a key strategic and economic partner.

“We have trade and economic relations that we continue to maintain and strengthen.

“We’re working to improve connectivity between countries and regions, including between economic integration organisations such as the Eurasian Economic Union and Asean,” he said.