BRICS urges ‘maximum restraint’ in Middle East in joint declaration

NEW DELHI: BRICS leaders on Saturday unanimously adopted a joint declaration expressing concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East and calling on all sides to exercise “maximum restraint”.

The New Delhi Declaration, agreed on the opening day of the group’s annual summit, urged countries to avoid steps that could further intensify tensions and emphasised the need for a multilateral approach that takes national positions into account.

The statement comes amid renewed exchanges of strikes between the United States and Iran following a relative lull in fighting through much of August.

Reaching consensus on the declaration had been seen as particularly significant given the composition of BRICS, which includes both Iran and the United Arab Emirates, a close partner of Washington.

“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East,” the declaration said, while calling for “maximum restraint” and warning against actions that could worsen the situation.

BRICS members also reaffirmed their support for resolving international disputes peacefully through “dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy”.

The declaration further raised concern over the growing use of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that it said could distort global trade.

Meanwhile Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi on Saturday on the sidelines, Iran’s embassy in India said in a post on X.

BRICS currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.