The BRICS countries have reached an agreement on a joint declaration at the ongoing summit in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the adoption of the BRICS Delhi Declaration on Saturday.
The agreement comes after days of negotiations among the grouping’s Sherpas, who were working to bridge differences over the language concerning the conflict in West Asia.
Declaration raises concern over conflicts
The BRICS declaration has expressed concern over the increasing risks of nuclear danger and conflict. It also condemns the imposition of ‘unilateral’ coercive measures that are contrary to international law.
The consensus is significant as Iran and the UAE had differing positions over Tehran’s war with the US. The two countries are both important partners for India, making the negotiations particularly sensitive for New Delhi.
BRICS Sherpas held discussions in the days leading up to the summit to settle differences and finalise the wording of the joint leaders’ declaration.
Modi says BRICS has come of age
Opening the summit on Saturday, Modi said the grouping had reached a new stage in its journey and called for its unity to produce concrete outcomes.
He said BRICS had come of age and that it was now time to translate the consensus within the grouping into tangible results on the global stage.
The declaration marks the outcome of those efforts, as member countries seek to present a common position despite differences on several international issues.
Modi holds talks with Iran, UAE
Ahead of the summit, Modi held bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday. The meeting was their second in less than two weeks and focused on India-Iran ties, along with the wider situation in West Asia.
Modi described Pezeshkian’s visit as "more special because it is his first visit" to India.
On Saturday, Modi also met Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
The separate engagements with the Iranian president and the UAE leadership came as BRICS members worked to find common ground on the declaration. The agreement on the Delhi Declaration provides the bloc with a joint position despite the differences that had complicated negotiations.