BRICS adopts New Delhi Declaration after Iran-UAE compromise on West Asia language

India secured consensus among BRICS members on Saturday for the New Delhi Declaration, after Iran and the United Arab Emirates accepted a last-minute compromise on how the grouping would describe the war in West Asia. The declaration was adopted at a meeting of the 11-member bloc chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The final text avoided naming the United States or Israel over strikes on Iran, or Iran's retaliatory attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbours, including the UAE. Instead, it urged "maximum restraint" in the conflict and made no separate reference to the war in Ukraine.

Leaders of eight member countries attended, among them Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the heads of Indonesia, Ethiopia, Egypt and South Africa. Brazil and the UAE were represented by senior officials.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said BRICS was "coming of age" two decades after its formation, with a distinct identity that was not directed against any other country. He said members respected one another's perspectives and advanced through consensus, seeking an approach that takes everyone along rather than opposing anyone.

Modi proposed that BRICS adopt a troika arrangement similar to the G-20 so that incoming and outgoing chairs maintain continuity. He also put forward a roadmap for global governance reform, a seafarer distress network, and a mechanism for skill development in new technologies for the global south.

The declaration backed comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including a larger role for Brazil and India on the Security Council. Xi, who held an hour-long bilateral meeting with Modi after the session, announced that China would assume the BRICS presidency for the coming year, describing the grouping as the world's most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.

On West Asia, the declaration expressed deep concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities and called for the protection of civilians. Officials said the passages on the Iran conflict required delicate negotiation at various levels, following overnight talks and discussions between Modi and the leaders of Iran, Russia and the UAE. In a notable diplomatic moment, Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the summit at Bharat Mandapam.

The grouping also issued strong criticism of Israel over its bombardment of Gaza, expressing support for South Africa's case in international courts and calling for humanitarian aid to the territory, where more than 70,000 civilians are believed to have been killed. It backed a two-state solution with full UN rights for Palestine, the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, and condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians from occupied territory under any pretext. The statement also criticised the U.S. blockade of Cuba and voiced concern over violence in Sudan.

On the economic front, members resolved to expand intra-BRICS trade and payments in national currencies. In a passage aimed at U.S. tariffs and Western sanctions, the declaration condemned unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law.

Earlier ministerial meetings this year had failed to produce joint statements because of the Iran-UAE dispute. Iran had sought strong condemnation of the U.S. and Israel for strikes that killed its Supreme Leader, along the lines of a statement by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which does not include the UAE, while the UAE wanted equal condemnation of Iranian attacks on its neighbours. The agreed text settled on non-specific references.

Sudhakar Dalela, India's Sherpa and Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the consensus followed months of detailed discussions. He said that in a grouping with diverse experiences it was important to give members a shared forum and build consensus within it, adding that cooperation from all members was key. He also highlighted agreement against cross-border terrorism, with specific reference to the 2025 Pahalgam attack.

On Sunday, Modi will chair an outreach session involving BRICS Plus countries and regional representatives, including the leaders of Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Uganda, Vietnam and Kazakhstan.