BRICS Meeting Ends Without Joint Statement Amid Deep Divisions Over Iran War
Daniel Khalili-Tari
A two-day BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi ended without a joint statement due to deep divisions over the Iran war. Iran sought condemnation of the US and Israel, while Gulf members criticized Tehran's attacks on the UAE. The group did reach consensus on other issues, including reform of global institutions and the need for a unified Palestinian state.
The two-day BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, India, ended without a joint statement, as internal divisions over the Iran war—which has impacted several members—prevented consensus. India, the host and current rotating chair of the group, stated on Friday that "there were differing views among some members" regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
BRICS brings together core members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newer members Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, and the UAE. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier this week called on BRICS members to condemn what he termed "violations of international law by the US and Israel."
The war has heightened tensions between Iran and its Gulf neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE—a BRICS+ member. Without naming the UAE directly, Araghchi said a BRICS member had blocked parts of India's draft statement. Iran has repeatedly targeted this Gulf neighbor since the war erupted on February 28, reportedly striking the UAE more than any other country in the conflict, including Israel.
"We have no problem with that particular country; they are not our target in this war. We only attack US military bases and installations, which unfortunately lie on their territory," Araghchi said. UAE representative Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar rejected Araghchi's remarks, accusing Iran of trying to justify "terrorist attacks" on the UAE and other Gulf states. Al Marar stated that Iran had launched approximately 3,000 attacks on the UAE using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Beyond the Iran war rift, India's statement highlighted areas of consensus among BRICS members, including a call to reform global governance institutions such as the United Nations and the Security Council. The group reiterated its longstanding demand for enhanced representation of Global South countries in international institutions, reflecting efforts to promote a multipolar world order.
Foreign ministers also discussed Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. They agreed that Gaza is "an inseparable part" of any future independent Palestinian state, stressing the importance of unifying the territory with the occupied West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. However, the statement noted that one unnamed country expressed reservations about certain aspects of this section. The group also called on all parties to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon, which has been criticized as a nominal truce. Without naming any specific country, the ministers condemned the use of economic sanctions as a form of coercion.
Sudan was also on the agenda. The African nation remains in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. The ministers called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that only a peaceful solution through dialogue could end the civil war that has lasted over three years. They also warned that Sudan risked becoming a breeding ground for "extremism" and "terrorism." The situation in Syria was also discussed. The country is recovering from a civil war that ended in December 2024 after long-time leader Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. India's statement called for a peaceful and inclusive political transition. The parties stressed the importance of eliminating so-called "foreign terrorist fighters" in Syria, who pose a security threat to both the country and the wider region.
