BRICS urges restraint as West Asia tensions threaten trade and energy flows

BRICS leaders have urged calm as growing conflicts in West Asia threaten global trade and energy stability. Speaking at the two-day BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation and demanded that all parties refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.

The declaration, unanimously adopted, called for an end to violence in Gaza, continued support for UNRWA, and full United Nations membership for Palestine. BRICS also reiterated its stance on the Palestinian issue, rejecting any displacement of Palestinians or changes to the demographics of occupied territories. Chinese President Xi Jinping, attending his first visit to India in seven years, emphasized that the conflict had caused immense suffering and provided no benefit to the international community.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, discussing issues such as freedom of navigation and crew safety in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite reaching consensus on several matters, BRICS members continue to struggle with aligning positions on the West Asia conflict and global trade policies.