BRICS adopts New Delhi Declaration, urges restraint in West Asia

BRICS nations have adopted a joint declaration at the New Delhi Summit, expressing concern over continuing tensions arising from the war in West Asia and calling on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid steps that could worsen the situation.

The New Delhi Declaration urges that civilians and civilian infrastructure be protected in line with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, "in their entirety and interconnectedness", including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

While pressing for restraint and de-escalation, the grouping pushed for dialogue and diplomacy aimed at a long-term understanding that would contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region. It also stressed the need to work together to keep global trade, supply chains and energy flows running smoothly, in accordance with applicable international law.

Securing consensus on the declaration followed days of intensive negotiations, with senior negotiators from the grouping's 11 member countries working to bridge differences. The language on the West Asia war had divided Iran and the UAE over the past six months, and no agreement could be reached on the paragraph at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in May.

The task became more delicate after the conflict escalated with exchanges of strikes between the United States and Iran. Since the war began on February 28, when the US and Israel attacked Iran, Tehran has targeted US bases in the Gulf region, including in the UAE, leaving the two newer BRICS members at odds. Indian officials worked to narrow the gap between the two sides during the negotiations.