BRICS Delhi Consensus Big Win for India; Slams Pahalgam Terror Hit

New Delhi:In a major diplomatic victory for India, the Brics countries adopted the Delhi Declaration with complete unanimity, something that was absent during the Brics foreign ministers meeting in May this year due to differing views of member countries Iran and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the wake of war in West Asia. Even though it was a tightrope walk for India to work out a consensus for a joint statement, the Indian diplomats worked till 4 am on Saturday to bring along rivals Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia, having deep differences, on the same page.

In May, Iran had insisted on the grouping to condemn the attack by the United States of America and Israel on Iran while accusing UAE of direct involvement in the conflict. The UAE had issues with Iran for bombarding its territories with missiles and drones. In the latest, Iran backed Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia.

However, despite their rival positions due to ongoing conflict in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen that the Brics summit should reflect solidarity and strength against nations that threaten with unilateral actions like imposing tariffs, and sanctions. It is learnt that India found support from Brazil, Russia and China in its efforts as diplomats crafted a carefully worded statement which talked about ending wars and conflicts in a way that did not hurt the sentiments of any country and everybody’s views were incorporated carefully. In fact, the success of the summit can be seen from the fact that UAE and Iran also sat together for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit.

“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/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 joint statement said. It also urged to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states. Leaders called for increasing efforts, through dialogue and diplomacy, towards a long-term understanding for lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

The Brics leaders also came together to condemn protectionist attitude of countries like the USA, that imposes higher trade tariffs and slaps sanctions. Leaders said 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, threatens to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities. Without naming any nation, the leaders expressed serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and condemned the “imposition of unilateral coercive measures: that are contrary to international law, saying such measures, have far-reaching negative implications.

On terrorism, the leaders expressed strong condemnation of all such acts terming it as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, by whomsoever committed. “We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured. 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,” the joint statement added.

To strengthen international peace and security the leaders called on the international community to respond to the challenges and associated security threats through politico-diplomatic measures to lower conflict potential and stress the need to engage in conflict prevention efforts, including through addressing their root causes.

“We express concern about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world and the current state of polarization and fragmentation in the international order. We express alarm at the current trend that has seen a critical increase in global military spending, to the detriment of the provision of adequate financing for development to developing countries. We advocate for a multilateral approach that respects diverse national viewpoints and positions on crucial global issues,” the statement further said.

The joint statement also expressed concern over the growing risks of nuclear danger and conflict and reiterated the need for invigorating the system of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.

The leaders also called for just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict saying that 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. The grouping called for adequate representation of Palestine in all relevant international organizations, including multilateral financial institutions, and access to their resources.

“We reaffirm our support for the State of Palestine's full membership in the UN in the context of the unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, in accordance with international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, that includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized 1967 borders, which included the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security,” the statement said.