The BRICS countries, including Russia, China, India, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, called in a joint statement on the sidelines of their summit in New Delhi for “the utmost degree of restraint” in the war in the Middle East.
The statement read: “We express deep concern about the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia. Recalling our specific national positions, we call for the exercise of maximum restraint, as well as the avoidance of actions that would exacerbate the situation.”
In May, the foreign ministers of the BRICS group did not agree on a joint statement following their meeting in New Delhi, in light of the existing difference in positions regarding the war that broke out with American-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, to which Tehran responded by paralyzing navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and targeting American interests in the region. However, India, the host of the summit, made unremitting efforts to bring views closer. In their statement, the BRICS countries condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
She said in the statement, “We express deep concern about the deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities covered by full safeguards from the International Atomic Energy Agency, in violation of international law and relevant IAEA decisions.” She stressed the need to comply with “nuclear safeguards and safety and security standards, including during armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment.”
The New Delhi summit opened on Saturday (September 12) in the presence of the presidents of China, Russia, Iran and Egypt, as well as high-level participation from the other countries of the group.
“We note the current global context of polarization and mistrust, and we encourage measures that strengthen global peace and security,” the joint statement said. The statement added, "We stress the need to work together to maintain the smooth flows of global trade, supply chains and energy in line with applicable global laws."
Xi calls on BRICS to play peacemaker role
For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS countries to be "peacemakers" in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, during his speech at the bloc's summit on Saturday. China Central Television quoted Xi as saying that Beijing will cooperate with the rest of the group's members to play this role, considering that the continuation of the war "does not serve the common interests of the international community."
"BRICS"... from five countries to a rising global power
The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as the founding countries, before its membership expands to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE. The bloc was established in 2009 as a framework to enhance the influence of emerging economies in the international system.
Together, member states constitute more than 40 percent of the world's population and about a quarter of the global economy, giving them increasing weight in international political and economic issues.
Xi described the group as a "leading force" in the Global South and a model of cooperation and self-reliance among developing and emerging countries, calling for strengthening development paths based on innovation and economic integration.
The Chinese President also announced that his country will assume the presidency of the BRICS group next year, and will host the nineteenth summit of the bloc, in a move that reflects Beijing's growing role within the group.
