India issues chair\u2019s statement noting differing views among members on West Asia conflict
\n New Delhi
\nTop diplomats from BRICS nations, including rivals Iran and the United Arab Emirates, failed to issue a joint statement on Friday after a two-day meeting in New Delhi, exposing divisions within the bloc over the war in Iran.
\nHost nation India instead released a chair\u2019s statement and outcome document, saying there were \u201cdiffering views among some members\u201d regarding the situation in West Asia and the Middle East.
\nBRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran and the UAE.
\nIran had pushed for BRICS to condemn the US-Israeli war against it and accused US ally the UAE of involvement in military operations. Tehran has launched missile and drone strikes against the UAE multiple times since the conflict began on February 28.
\nWithout naming the UAE, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a news conference that one BRICS member blocked parts of the proposed statement.
\n\u201cWe only hit American military bases and American military installations which are unfortunately on their soil,\u201d Araghchi said, adding he hoped positions would change before the BRICS leaders\u2019 summit later this year.
\n\u201cI hope by the time that we come for the summit, they come to a good understanding that Iran is a neighbour … we have to live with each other,\u201d he said.
\nThe UAE foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
\nIndia\u2019s statement said BRICS members expressed differing national positions, ranging from calls for an early resolution of the crisis and diplomacy to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
\nThe document also stressed the importance of international law, safe maritime commerce through international waterways, and the protection of civilian infrastructure and lives.
\nGaza and Global South focus
\nThe statement said BRICS ministers reiterated that the Gaza Strip was \u201can inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory\u201d and supported unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. They also reaffirmed support for Palestinian self-determination and an independent Palestinian state.
\nIndia noted that one member had reservations about parts of the Gaza section, without identifying the country.
\nAs BRICS chair for 2026, India said member states emphasised unity among developing nations to address global challenges.
\n\u201cThey highlighted the importance of the Global South as a driver of positive change,\u201d the statement said.
\nImpact on India
\nIndia, the world\u2019s third-largest oil importer and consumer, has been heavily affected by Iran\u2019s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies normally pass.
\nIranian attacks have reportedly caused the deaths of at least three Indian personnel in the waterway, and an India-flagged ship was sunk this week as Araghchi visited New Delhi.
\nDuring a brief stop in the UAE on Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned attacks on the Gulf country.
\n\u201cThe way the UAE was targeted is unacceptable in any form,\u201d Modi said. \u201cIn these difficult circumstances, the restraint and courage you demonstrated are highly commendable.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
India issues chair\u2019s statement noting differing views among members on West Asia conflict New Delhi Top diplomats from BRICS nations, including rivals Iran and the United Arab Emirates, failed to issue a joint statement on Friday after a two-day meeting in New Delhi, exposing divisions within the bloc over the war in Iran. Host nation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":546734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-546718","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n