Brics leaders voice concern over Middle East and condemn unilateral sanctions

The meeting, which included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, voiced concern over “deliberate attacks” on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under the UN atomic energy agency’s safeguards, saying nuclear safety and security must be protected during armed conflicts.

The statement was seen as indirect criticism of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The leaders also took aim at unilateral sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council.

They did not name any countries, but Russia, one of the founding members of Brics , has faced western sanctions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter,” the joint statement said.

Brics was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010.

It has since expanded to 11 members, representing about half the world’s population and a significant share of global economic output.

The group has increasingly called for greater representation for developing countries in global institutions.

It has sought to raise its profile by promoting alternatives to western-dominated financial institutions and positioning itself as the voice of developing nations and emerging economies.

India is hosting this year’s summit, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr Pezeshkian and counterparts from the other eight Brics members.

Concerns have grown that the Iran war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, may expand as fighting escalated between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with rising US-China tensions, are also testing the bloc’s ability to find common ground among countries with competing geopolitical interests.

Saturday’s talks began with an address by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who sought to ease concerns that Brics was intended to counter western-led alliances, while portraying the grouping as a platform for emerging and developing economies to have a greater voice in global affairs.

“Brics is not against anyone,” he said, adding that the bloc had reached a “coming of age” moment in which the global south must evolve into a “rule-shaper” in global governance.

“It is time for us to translate our unity and consensus in BRICS into concrete outcomes,” he said.

Mr Modi also proposed a Brics seafarers’ network to strengthen the safety and welfare of maritime workers, particularly as disruptions to maritime trade from the war in Iran have heightened risks for mariners.

China and Russia see Brics as a way to reduce western dominance, particularly that of the United States, while strengthening co-operation among emerging and developing economies.

Mr Putin called for expansion of the UN Security Council to give greater representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America, saying it would improve the body’s effectiveness, Russian state news agency Interfax reported Saturday.

Speaking at the summit, Mr Putin said the shift toward a multipolar world was facing resistance from countries “accustomed to thinking in colonial categories”, accusing them of using tariffs, sanctions and “brute force” to contain rising competitors.

He said the tensions were undermining the international system but that Russia still viewed the UN Charter as the foundation of international law.

Iran has also pushed for mechanisms that could reduce the bloc’s reliance on western financial systems and shield members from economic pressure, as Tehran faces sweeping sanctions and a US blockade.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian backed expanding trade in national currencies among Brics members.

“One of the most important steps is to expand the use of national currencies in trade among the members,” he told reporters on Friday.

China, meanwhile, is leveraging the grouping to deepen its influence within the bloc and position it as a counterweight to US power.

For India, the summit highlights its effort to maintain strategic ties with Russia and Iran while deepening relations with the US and Europe.

New Delhi has sought to balance its longstanding partnerships with Moscow and Tehran with efforts to expand economic, defence and technology ties with Washington and other Western nations.

India has maintained close ties with both Moscow and Tehran despite the war in Ukraine and tensions between Iran and the US, while calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.

In May, Brics foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement over the Iran war, forcing India to issue a chair’s summary instead.

India is also hoping the forum will help ease its longstanding strained ties with China.

Mr Modi and Mr Xi met on Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, the latest effort by the rival neighbours to repair ties strained by a deadly border clash six years ago.

Mr Xi said China has approached relations with India from a “strategic and long-term perspective” and called for the two countries to draw on each other’s strengths, support one another and pursue common development.

He also urged “high-quality co-operation” between the two countries, saying China and India, as major members of the Global South, should promote a more multipolar world and contribute to global peace and stability.

Mr Modi said peace along the disputed border was essential for broader ties and urged both sides to honour existing agreements, a statement by India’s foreign ministry later on Saturday said. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a fair and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary dispute, it said.

“Differences should not become disputes,” Mr Modi said, adding: “Both sides must be guided by three mutuals: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.”

Mr Modi thanked Mr Xi for China’s co-operation in hosting the summit. China will host the summit next year.

The two leaders held talks in China last year during Mr Modi’s visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional political, economic and security group founded by China.

The summit marks Mr Xi’s first visit to India since 2019.

The two nuclear-armed powers still dispute some parts of their border, while India’s large trade deficit with China, restrictions on Chinese investment and technology and their competing strategic interests in Asia continue to weigh on relations.

India has also significantly expanded military infrastructure along its disputed frontier with China, while Beijing has built roads and defensive positions on its side of the contested border.

Mr Xi’s visit is expected to test whether the recent thaw can translate into a broader stabilisation of ties.

Since their 1962 war, the economies of both countries have grown substantially, but China has far outpaced India and runs a large trade surplus with its neighbour. Their growing economic rivalry has added to longstanding territorial and strategic differences.

India has sought to capitalize on China’s rising labour costs and strained ties with the United States and Europe to position itself as an alternative base for foreign manufacturers. New Delhi has also viewed China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative with concern and has strongly opposed it.

At the same time, India’s growing strategic partnership with the US has raised concerns in Beijing, which views the relationship as part of efforts to counter China’s rise.