Ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi on 12–13 September, the self declared Republic of Balochistan has issued an open appeal to the member states of the grouping, calling for the question of Balochistan’s national status, right to self-determination and future as a sovereign state to be considered by the BRICS countries.
In its appeal to the heads of state and government of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Indonesia, the Republic of Balochistan argues that the issue should be considered within the broader principles of sovereignty, self-determination, sustainable development, economic cooperation and a more representative international order.
The appeal also calls for BRICS countries to consider future diplomatic, political, economic and security relations with Balochistan.
Balochistan’s Historical and National Identity:
The appeal describes Balochistan as an ancient land whose history extends back thousands of years. It highlights Mehrgarh, located in present-day Balochistan, as one of South Asia’s important prehistoric archaeological sites, with evidence of settled agricultural communities dating to the seventh millennium BCE.
According to the document, this historical heritage reflects a region that developed agriculture, animal husbandry, craftsmanship and trade at a very early stage of human civilization. Balochistan has also historically served as a crossroads connecting different peoples, cultures and civilizations.
The document presents Baloch national political identity as emphasizing secularism, pluralism, cultural diversity, human dignity and peaceful coexistence.
The modern political question of Balochistan, it argues, is closely connected to the political developments surrounding the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent. 11 August 1947 is identified as a date of particular importance in Baloch national history and is commemorated by Baloch nationalists as being associated with the restoration and declaration of Balochistan’s independence.
The Balochistan maintains that the Baloch people’s claim to independence was not legitimately extinguished and that the question of Balochistan’s sovereignty remains unresolved.
Why Balochistan Matters to BRICS:
The appeal argues that Balochistan should not be viewed solely through the lens of a political dispute, but also as a potential strategic and economic partner for the Global South.
Geographically, Balochistan lies at the intersection of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Arabian Sea. Its extensive coastline and potential for maritime development, according to the document, could give an independent and stable Balochistan an important role in regional trade and international connectivity.
The region is also described as possessing significant natural resources, including copper, gold, coal, natural gas and other minerals, as well as potential in renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
The Balochistan argues that transparent and sustainable development of these resources could form the basis of long-term economic partnerships with BRICS countries.
Potential Co-operation With BRICS Members:
The appeal outlines potential areas of cooperation between Balochistan and individual BRICS members.
For Brazil and South Africa, it points to opportunities for expanded South-South cooperation and economic engagement across the Global South.
For Russia, Balochistan’s geographical position is presented as potentially significant for connectivity linking Central Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
For India, the document highlights Balochistan’s Arabian Sea location and its potential implications for maritime and commercial connectivity.
For China, it emphasizes the region’s importance to Asian and Indian Ocean trade.
The appeal identifies potential opportunities for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in areas including energy, maritime trade, investment and regional stability.
It also points to possible connectivity between the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Asian markets for Egypt, while identifying potential cooperation in maritime access and development with Ethiopia and stronger maritime, cultural and economic links between Indonesia and the Arabian Sea region.
Economic Development and Resource Co-operation:
The Balochistan says that a future relationship with BRICS could extend beyond diplomacy into economic and financial cooperation.
Potential areas include infrastructure development, mineral processing, energy, agriculture, fisheries, technology and investment.
The appeal argues that Balochistan’s natural resources, if developed transparently and sustainably and with the interests of the Baloch population at the centre, could provide a foundation for mutually beneficial economic relations.
Such co-operation, it says, could also contribute to employment, technological development, infrastructure and long-term economic growth.
The Appeal to the BRICS Summit:
The Balochistan calls upon BRICS member states to consider several measures.
These include placing the question of Balochistan’s national status and right to self-determination on the agenda of the 12–13 September BRICS Summit and considering diplomatic engagement with the self declared Republic of Balochistan.
The appeal also calls for the exploration of future co-operation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, minerals and maritime development.
It further proposes co-operation in health, education, food security, climate change, humanitarian assistance and disaster management, alongside what it describes as legitimate cooperation in peace, security, counter-terrorism and counter-extremism.
The document also calls for greater people-to-people relations through universities, research institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, youth initiatives and cultural exchanges.
Finally, it asks BRICS countries to consider Balochistan’s future participation in the wider architecture of Global South cooperation and, where appropriate, eventual inclusion in BRICS-related mechanisms.
Balochistan and a Changing Global Order:
The appeal places the Balochistan question within the broader debate over the emergence of a more multipolar international system.
It argues that BRICS has increasingly presented itself as a platform advocating greater representation, cooperation and fairness for countries of the Global South. From this perspective, the document contends that the question of Balochistan should be considered in relation to wider principles of self-determination, sovereignty, sustainable development and equitable management of natural resources.
The self declared Republic of Balochistan emphasizes that it does not seek confrontation with BRICS member states or the wider international community.
Instead, it says it seeks recognition, peaceful cooperation, partnership and shared prosperity.
According to the appeal, Balochistan’s geographical position, natural resources, maritime potential and human capital could make a future sovereign Balochistan a significant partner for BRICS and the wider Global South.
A Call for Engagement:
The appeal concludes by presenting the prospect of a peaceful, sovereign and prosperous Balochistan as an opportunity for broader international cooperation.
It argues that such a Balochistan could contribute to trade, energy security, maritime connectivity, climate resilience, food security, humanitarian cooperation and regional peace.
