New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- The BRICS countries on Saturday called for an immediate end to unilateral economic sanctions and expressed grave concern over rising protectionist policies, warning that arbitrary tariff hikes and green-labelled trade barriers are disrupting global supply chains and hurting the developing world.

In the New Delhi Declaration adopted during the 18th BRICS Summit, the leaders stated that the global multilateral trading system has reached a critical crossroads. They highlighted that countries are increasingly adopting trade-restrictive measures that violate World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

The grouping pointed out that the sudden rise in customs duties, non-tariff barriers, and protectionist restrictions disguise...