With this, finessing an issue that could upset Washington as Riyadh seeks to seal deals with its United States US ally.

The issue of BRICS membership has been diplomatically sensitive for Saudi Arabia since it was first invited to join in 2023, and remains so with President Donald Trump due to visit next week, and Riyadh negotiating nuclear and technology deals.

While the BRICS website shows Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, as a member, it has yet to join, according to the two sources, both with direct knowledge of Saudi policy.

Saudi Arabia's government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry referred Reuters to the Saudi government when asked about the kingdom's listed status as a member on the website. Brazil is currently presiding over BRICS.

Riyadh does not want to risk US anger as negotiations are underway with Washington, one of the sources and a diplomat said.

Saudi Arabia sent its Deputy Foreign Minister to the April 29 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where ministers from the fast-expanding bloc failed to agree on a joint communique.

The kingdom's ambivalence about BRICS membership lays bare its high-stakes balancing act between China, its biggest oil export customer, and Washington, its indispensable security and technology partner, a tightrope walk made ever more precarious by the deepening US-Chinese divide.

--Reuters--