BRICS agrees on joint declaration before New Delhi summit, sources say

The BRICS group of emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, has reportedly reached an agreement on a joint declaration ahead of their summit in New Delhi. The summit, attended by leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, aims to enhance the bloc’s global influence and address divisions between Iran and the UAE over the ongoing Gulf conflict.

Despite a recent ceasefire, the conflict has reignited, with the United States and Iran engaging in a cycle of retaliatory strikes in their six-month-long war. The declaration, expected to be approved by the bloc’s leaders later on Saturday, is anticipated to condemn unilateral warfare by any country, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

While the joint statement may not significantly alter the current geopolitical landscape, it underscores the BRICS’ commitment to unity against policies such as Western sanctions. The foreign ministry of host India has yet to comment on the declaration. The BRICS summit, taking place in New Delhi, aims to strengthen the bloc’s role in shaping international rules and advocating for reforms in institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and WTO, which some members perceive as Western-dominated.