Leaders from the BRICS nations, including China, Russia, and India, have called for'maximum restraint' in the ongoing Middle East conflict during a summit in New Delhi. Overcoming earlier divisions, the 11-nation group issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the region. The statement emphasized the need to avoid actions that could further aggravate the situation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who joined leaders from Russia, Iran, India, and other nations in the Indian capital, highlighted that the Middle East war 'does not serve the common interests of the international community.' This call for calm comes after foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping failed to agree on a joint statement in May due to divisions among member nations over the conflict.
The BRICS bloc, created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies, seeks to bolster its global influence and address issues such as conflict, trade turbulence, and energy security. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hosted the summit, called for transforming the 'pyramid of privilege' into a 'platform of partnership,' emphasizing a system where every country has a voice and humanity's development is central.
Modi noted that BRICS nations represent 50 percent of the world's population, 40 percent of global GDP, and more than 25 percent of global trade. However, balancing the interests within the bloc remains a challenging diplomatic task. India, for instance, maintains cordial relations with both Iran and Israel while carefully navigating its ties with Washington.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who attended the summit, recently warned that the Middle East does not need the United States to be a'regional policeman.' His attendance at the summit followed a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed on the sidelines. India has managed the energy crisis caused by the US-Iran war partly by turning to Russia, despite Moscow's conflict in Ukraine and pressure from Western capitals.
