The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi concluded on Friday without a joint statement amid “differing views” on the situation in West Asia region.
“There were differing views among some members as regard to the situation in the West Asia region. BRICS members expressed their respective national positions and shared a range of perspectives,” per the chair’s statement and outcome document issued by India on Friday.
The BRICS grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. India is the current chair of the grouping.
Iran and the UAE are engaged in a spat over the latter’s alleged involvement in Israel’s (and the US’) war on Iran. On May 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “secretly visited” the UAE and met its President during the war with Iran.
UAE-Iran collusion
While the UAE Foreign Ministry refuted Israel’s claims as “unfounded”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who attended the BRICS meet in New Delhi, said the UAE’s “collusion” with Israel was unforgivable.
Araghchi on Thursday called on the BRICS grouping to unequivocally condemn “violations of international law” by the US and Israel. Others who attended include Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, Brazil’s Mauro Vieira, Indonesia’s Sugiono, and South Africa’s Ronald Lamola.
“Views articulated by member countries included the need for an early resolution of the current crisis, the value of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, upholding international law, the importance of safe and unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways, and the protection of civilian infrastructure and civilian lives,” the statement noted.
On the Palestine-Israel conflict, BRICS members managed to be on the same page. “They reaffirmed their support for the State of Palestine’s full membership in the UN in the context of the unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, in accordance with international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, that includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized 1967 borders, which included the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security,” the outcome document noted.
However, it was noted in a footnote that “a member had reservations” about parts of sections where the Gaza Strip was recognised an inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Ministers believed BRICS countries would continue to play a pivotal role in voicing the concerns and priorities of the Global South, as well as in promoting a more just, sustainable,
Published on May 15, 2026