BRICS leaders gather in South Africa (22 images)

By Wade Sheridan

World leaders from India, China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa gather for the three-day BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting, which ends Thursday, seeks to build a coalition of powers to counter Western influence around the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaks during a press briefing on the third day of the BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 24. 2023. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks onstage. The five-member BRICS group invited Saudi Arabia and Iran to join their organization on Thursday. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa takes part in the summit. Other countries invited to join BRICS included Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Membership would not start until 2024. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

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Ramaphosa (L) sits next to Modi during the press briefing. "BRICS is a diverse group of nations," Ramaphosa said. "It is an equal partnership of countries that have differing views but a shared vision for a better world." Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

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