The BRICS group of nations unanimously adopted a joint declaration on Saturday, expressing “deep concern” over the war in the Middle East and urging maximum restraint, advocating for a “multilateral approach” that respects national viewpoints, reports BritPanorama.
The declaration, adopted on the first day of the BRICS leaders’ annual summit in New Delhi, comes at a time when the U.S. and Iran have resumed tit-for-tat strikes against each other, after a pause in fighting for much of August.
The BRICS bloc includes both Iran and the Washington-aligned United Arab Emirates, making consensus on the joint statement a particularly challenging task for host India.
“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East…call for exercising maximum restraint…avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ stated.
The declaration also reiterated the commitment of member nations to a peaceful resolution of international disputes “through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy.”
Additionally, concerns were raised about the rise of “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures” that distort trade, particularly in light of U.S. sanctions against Tehran amid its conflict with the country and against Russia over its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
China urges peacemaker role
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS bloc to act as a peacemaker in the Middle East conflict during his address to the summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
China will collaborate with other BRICS members in this role, as the war “does not serve the common interests of the international community,” state-run CCTV quoted Xi as saying.
The BRICS grouping consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
The bloc was established in 2009 to challenge the world order predominantly led by the United States and its Western allies. Together, its members represent over 40% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy.
Xi characterized the bloc as a “leading group” in the Global South and a model of self-reliance among emerging and developing countries that should promote innovation-driven development.
China-India ties
Xi’s visit for the summit marks his first trip to India in seven years and occurs as the two Asian neighbours cautiously rebuild ties that were severely damaged following a military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
The Xi-Modi meeting, scheduled for Saturday evening, will be their third in three years, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry announced on Friday.
China “is willing” to work collaboratively with India, viewing bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, managing differences properly, and striving to be “good neighbours and friends, as well as mutually supportive partners,” the spokesperson added.
