BRICS Summit in New Delhi Sees Iran-UAE Backing for Joint Call on Middle East Restraint

Iran and the United Arab Emirates endorsed a joint statement from the BRICS grouping calling for restraint in the Middle East war on Saturday, a development seen as a sign of diplomatic progress between two nations divided by the conflict.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the summit's opening day — the highest-level contact between the two countries since the war began. According to the Abu Dhabi media office, the leaders discussed regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability and efforts to advance regional peace and development. It did not indicate any resolution had been reached.

The joint BRICS declaration expressed deep concern over continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East, also referred to as West Asia, and called for maximum restraint and the avoidance of actions that could worsen the situation. It urged protection of civilians, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and stressed the need to safeguard global trade, supply chains, energy flows and maritime security.

The summit has been viewed as a test of the diplomatic weight of a bloc established in 2009 to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia, along with Iran and the UAE.

Organisers and diplomats focused on bridging the Iran-UAE divide even as Washington and Tehran exchange tit-for-tat strikes in the six-month-old war. Iran has repeatedly attacked the UAE during the conflict, most recently in late August when it targeted Al Minhad Air Base, which housed U.S. forces and helicopters.

Foreign policy experts had said the key test for the bloc would be finding language on the Middle East crisis acceptable to both Abu Dhabi and Tehran, clearing the way for the joint declaration. While such a statement was unlikely to alter the current geopolitical landscape, they said, it would demonstrate unity among a grouping of emerging nations.

Sunjay Sudhir, a former Indian ambassador to the UAE, said the key to ending the war lies with the U.S. and Israel. "What India has done is keep the difficult conversations going, by showing that countries of the region can sit at the same table, engage diplomatically, and build on where their interests converge," he said.

Host Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bloc had come of age and that it was time to translate its unity and consensus into concrete results on the global stage. BRICS is seeking to raise its profile by influencing international rules and demanding reform of institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization, which some members view as dominated by Western powers.

Leaders attending include Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa. Xi said BRICS countries should stand on the right side of history by steering the international order toward greater equity and justice, and that China was ready to play its due role in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East. Relevant parties must remain committed to a political settlement and work towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, he said.

New Delhi, which maintains strong ties with the United States, Russia, Israel, Iran and the Gulf Arab states, is engaged in a diplomatic balancing act, with Modi pushing BRICS members to boost trade cooperation, reduce barriers and expand business opportunities.