BRICS unanimously adopts New Delhi Declaration, makes no mention of US strike on Iran

In a major diplomatic victory for India, the BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration on Saturday after overcoming sharp differences between the United Arab Emirates and Tehran regarding the West Asia conflict but skipped any direct mention of the US strikes on Iran or Iranian military's attacks on several Gulf Arab nations.

The New Delhi Declaration also did not criticise Russia's war on Ukraine but was severely critical of Israel for continuing violence in Gaza and called for fulfilling aspirations of Palestinian people.

BRICS, without naming the US, also voiced serious concerns over proliferation of "trade-restrictive actions" such as "indiscriminate" tariffs and non-tariff measures as well as protectionism, saying they threatened to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities.

BRICS reaches consensus after differences over West Asia

The grouping came out against "unilateral sanctions" and "coercive measures" that are contrary to international law, in what is seen as a veiled criticism of Western economic sanctions on Russia.

The members of the grouping agreed to the final text of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration, especially the paragraph on the West Asia crisis, late on Saturday afternoon, just hours before it was unveiled at around 4.30 pm, sources said.

The BRICS leaders appeared to endorse New Delhi's position to end the West Asia conflict through "dialogue and diplomacy" and stressed the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with "applicable" international law.

The declaration also called for ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Adopted on the opening day of the two-day summit, the BRICS declaration is seen as a major triumph for Indian diplomacy. The negotiations on the text of the declaration went down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE had harden their positions initially. BRICS is a consensus-based grouping, meaning any single member can block a final joint declaration.

The sources noted that India's success in securing a consensus declaration relied on persuading Iran and the UAE to drop their demands for explicit condemnations of strikes on their territories, accommodating Russia's push to soften references to the conflicts, and leveraging Tehran's broader effort to repair ties with key players in West Asia.

In a related development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the margins of the BRICS summit on Saturday. It is learnt that there are plans for Iran to meet members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iraq in Oman on September 14 to discuss an agreement on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day's deliberations in presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pezeshkian, Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders of the bloc.

"We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation," the declaration said.

"Furthermore, we urge to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in their entirety and interconnectedness, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States," it said.

"We encourage increasing efforts, through dialogue and diplomacy, towards a long-term understanding that will contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region," it added.

Declaration condemns Gaza violence, backs Palestinian rights

The groping also expressed "deep concern" over the continued violence in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement of October last year.

"We call for halting any policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Strip and express concern regarding arrangements that may prejudice the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and legitimise or prolong occupation," it said.

"We reaffirm that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return," it said.

BRICS also fully backed India's call for zero tolerance towards any form of terrorism and shunning double standards in countering the menace as the top leaders of the influential grouping agreed to have a concerted approach in dealing with the challenge.

The grouping also condemned in the "strongest terms" the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year that killed 26 people.

"We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens," it said.

"We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law," it said.

"We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism," it added.

BRICS backs zero tolerance on terrorism

BRICS emphasised that it is the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism and that global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured," it said.

The grouping also criticised proliferation of "trade-restrictive actions that are inconsistent with WTO rules, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives".

"We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules," it said.

"We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law, and reiterate that such measures, inter alia in the form of unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far-reaching negative implications for the human rights," it said.

"We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. We reaffirm our opposition to unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law," it noted.

BRICS calls for UN reform and peaceful dispute resolution

BRICS also pressed for reform of the United Nations and even favoured having a woman as the UN Secretary General.

"In light of the ongoing selection process of the next Secretary General of the UN and bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the UN Charter, we note that no woman has ever been elected for the role of Secretary General, and only one national from Latin America and Caribbean, and only two nationals from Africa and Asia each have ever occupied this position," it said.

BRICS also noted with concern the polarisation and distrust in the geopolitical landscape and called on the international community to respond to various security threats through politico-diplomatic measures.

"We underscore that security among all countries is indivisible and reiterate our commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy.

"We encourage the active role of regional organisations in conflict prevention and resolution and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises," it said.