New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- India pulled off a major diplomatic victory at the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday with the adoption of a consensus joint declaration despite differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the West Asia crisis. The joint declaration did not make any direct references to the war and only emphasised upon dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
Members of the BRICS grouping agreed to the comprehensive New Delhi Declaration in the evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day's deliberations in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders of the bloc.
"We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in 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 New Delhi Declaration said.
The US was present in the joint declaration but without being named or making any direct mention of the US strikes on Iran or the Iranian military's attacks on several Gulf Arab nations.
The 140-point declaration named Israel in several paragraphs, criticising it over concerns regarding Gaza and Lebanon. Though it did not name the United States (US), it slammed Washington's unilateral sanctions and attacks on "peaceful nuclear facilities.''
The New Delhi Declaration also did not criticise Russia's war on Ukraine but was severely critical of Israel for continuing violence in Gaza and called for fulfilling the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
BRICS, without naming the US, also voiced serious concerns over the proliferation of "trade-restrictive actions" such as "indiscriminate" tariffs and non-tariff measures as well as protectionism, saying they threatened to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities.
"We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law, and reiterate that such measures, inter alia in the form of unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far-reaching negative implications," the declaration said, adding that such economic sanctions end up "disproportionately affecting the poor".
The BRICS leaders seemed to agree with India's position to end the West Asia conflict through "dialogue and diplomacy" and stressed the need to work together to maintain a smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with "applicable" international law.
On Israel, the declaration highlighted its legal obligation to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and opposed forced Palestinian displacement. On Lebanon, it went further, asking Israel to "withdraw its occupying forces from all of the Lebanese territories" where they remain.
The negotiations on the text of the declaration went down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE had hardened their positions initially. BRICS is a consensus-based grouping, meaning any single member can block a final joint declaration.
"We reaffirm that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 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," it said.
BRICS also fully backed India's call for zero tolerance towards any form of terrorism and shunning double standards in countering the menace, as the top leaders of the influential grouping agreed to have a concerted approach in dealing with the challenge.
The grouping also condemned in the "strongest terms" the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year that killed 26 people.
"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," it said.
"We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law," it said.
"We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism," it added.
BRICS emphasised that it is the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism and that global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN.
BRICS also pressed for reform of the United Nations and even favoured having a woman as the UN Secretary General.
"In light of the ongoing selection process of the next Secretary-General of the UN and bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the UN Charter, we note that no woman has ever been elected for the role of Secretary General, and only one national from Latin America and the Caribbean, and only two nationals from Africa and Asia each have ever occupied this position," it said.
BRICS also noted with concern the polarisation and distrust in the geopolitical landscape and called on the international community to respond to various security threats through politico-diplomatic measures.
"We underscore that security among all countries is indivisible and reiterate our commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy."
"We encourage the active role of regional organisations in conflict prevention and resolution and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises," BRICS said in the declaration adopted during its 18th summit.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.