Top diplomats from BRICS countries failed to reach a unified position at their latest meeting in New Delhi, highlighting deep disagreements over the ongoing war involving Iran.
After two days of talks, the group which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE could not agree on a joint statement. Instead, host nation India released only a chair’s summary that openly reflected the divisions among member states.
According to the statement, member countries held sharply different views on the conflict in the Middle East. Iran had pushed for BRICS to condemn the U.S. and Israel over the war, but that proposal did not gain consensus.
Tehran also accused the UAE of playing a role in military operations against it.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged the disagreement, saying one BRICS member blocked parts of the proposed statement.
However, he insisted Iran had no hostility toward that country and claimed Tehran had not targeted it in the conflict.
“We only hit American military bases and installations located on their soil,” Araqchi said, adding that Iran hoped relations within the bloc would improve ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit.
The UAE’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to the allegations.
India’s chair statement noted that members expressed a range of positions on the crisis from calls for diplomacy and an early end to hostilities, to stronger emphasis on sovereignty, international law, and protection of civilians and infrastructure.
The document also reiterated support for the Palestinian cause, stating that the Gaza Strip remains part of the occupied Palestinian territory and calling for Palestinian self-determination.
However, it added that at least one member had reservations about parts of that section.
Beyond the Middle East crisis, India used the meeting to stress the importance of unity among developing nations, saying the Global South should work together to respond to rising geopolitical and economic pressures.
BRICS countries also discussed wider global concerns, including protection of maritime trade routes, migration pressures, and shifting global economic conditions. Still, the inability to agree on a joint statement underscored how sharply divided the bloc remains over the Iran conflict.
Tensions in the Middle East continue to ripple far beyond the region. As the world’s major oil importer, India in particular has felt the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that normally carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply.
India also raised concerns about recent attacks in the waterway, including incidents that affected its nationals and vessels, while urging restraint and dialogue among all parties involved.
For now, the latest BRICS meeting has made one thing clear: despite shared economic interests, the bloc remains deeply split on how to handle one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
