NEW DELHI: In a dramatic repeat of the 2023 G20 Declaration under India’s presidency, BRICS member-states reached a consensus for a joint declaration following intensive, late-night negotiations that lasted till 4 am on Saturday. The talks had been strained by sharp differences between the UAE and Iran over the West Asia conflict and an earlier meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers under India’s presidency had ended without a consensual statement.Also Read | Iconic moments, landmark talks & a breakthrough pact: Key points from Brics SummitThe 140-paragraph New Delhi Declaration announced by PM Narendra Modi was solidified by a rare leader-level Iran-UAE meeting – between Iran President Masour Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – in the middle of the war that started on February 28.In a delicately worded compromise, the declaration addressed the interests of both sides by expressing serious concerns over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and also peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA. This implicit criticism of US-Israeli action against Iran was crucial in getting Iran to sign off on the declaration.
Zero tolerance for terror, Pahalgam gets mention
“We in BRICS must fight against the normalization of attacks on civilian, vital infrastructure. The same applies to peaceful nuclear infrastructure,” said Pezeshkian at the summit.Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm, said the declaration.Significantly, the joint statement did not name any country or explicitly condemn attacks, prioritising instead dialogue and diplomacy, UN Charter, civilian lives and infrastructure and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, while also expressing deep concern over continued escalations and calling for maximum restraint.Also Read | ‘India can be bridge-builder’: UN hails Iran-UAE meeting on sidelines of BricsIn the declaration, the leaders recalled their respective national positions on West Asia and stressed the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law.Official sources said India led prolonged negotiations at multiple levels to reconcile sharp differences between the 2 sides and forge consensus with support from other member-states who were keen that the summit didn’t end without a joint statement.The BRICS consensus is reminiscent of the last-minute G20 2023 Delhi declaration that was achieved in the middle of the escalating Russia-Ukraine war with a carefully nuanced formulation that called upon all States to refrain from use of force for territorial acquisition but without naming Russia.The BRICS declaration also came days before Iran’s meeting with GCC countries on the Strait of Hormuz situation. In Pezeshkian’s meeting with the crown prince, the leaders underscored the importance of supporting efforts to ease tensions, promote de-escalation and strengthen regional stability.Indian officials had on Friday expressed confidence about a constructive outcome from the negotiations, following Modi’s meeting with Pezeshkian in which he expressed solidarity with Tehran, seeking a long-term and win-win partnership with Iran.On other issues, like in Rio last year, China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.Importantly for India, the declaration expressed strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed” and strongly reiterated condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.“We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” said the declaration.On the Palestine issue, BRICS countries, including India, expressed deep concern on the continued violence in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement of October 2025. “We call for halting any policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Strip and express concern regarding arrangements that may prejudice the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and legitimize or prolong occupation,” said the declaration.
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There was no mention of the Ukraine war in the declaration this year. The declaration backed comprehensive reform of the UN, including the Security Council, with a view to making it more “democratic, representative, effective and efficient” and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships.
