Brics foreign ministers’ meeting ends without a joint statement, consensus eludes on Iran war

The BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi concluded on Friday without a joint statement after member nations failed to reach consensus on the escalating conflict in West Asia.

Instead of a joint declaration, India issued a chair’s statement at the end of the annual meeting in New Delhi, emphasising that member countries held differing views on the situation in the West Asia.

Despite the deadlock on West Asia, the bloc managed to reach consensus on nearly 60 other agenda items, including energy cooperation, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), trade, climate action, financial inclusion and reforms of global governance institutions.

Deadlock over Iran conflict

The divisions became evident after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Brics nations to explicitly condemn the US and Israel over recent military strikes targeting Iran.

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Tehran described the attacks as violations of international law and called on the grouping to take a stronger stand against what it termed external aggression and the “politicisation” of international institutions.

However, differing positions within the expanded Brics grouping prevented negotiators from finalising a common statement on the conflict.

Iran and the UAE — both members of Brics — are on opposing sides of the ongoing regional crisis, with Iran having targeted the UAE more than any other Gulf country during the conflict involving the US and Israel.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had earlier indicated that disagreements linked to the UAE’s position had complicated negotiations surrounding the final declaration.

India’s diplomatic balancing act

India, which is chairing Brics this year, faced the difficult task of balancing competing positions within the bloc, particularly between Iran, the UAE and Israel.

Opening the meeting on Thursday, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the importance of ensuring “safe and unimpeded maritime flows” through international waters as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

The strategic waterway carries nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies and has become a major flashpoint amid the regional conflict.

Consensus on economic and development agenda

While disagreements over West Asia dominated discussions, Brics countries made progress on several economic and developmental priorities.

Member states agreed to deepen cooperation in energy security, expand collaboration on Digital Public Infrastructure, strengthen intra-Brics trade mechanisms, improve financial connectivity and push for reforms in multilateral institutions.

Officials said the grouping also advanced discussions on climate partnerships and sustainable development initiatives despite political differences over geopolitical issues.

Jaishankar-Araghchi hold bilateral talks

On the sidelines of the summit, Jaishankar held talks with Araghchi to discuss bilateral cooperation, the Iran-Israel conflict, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider implications of the crisis in the Middle East.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar said on X that he had a “detailed” conversation with the Iranian foreign minister and exchanged views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest.

Brics currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.