Foreign ministers from BRICS nations wrapped up their two-day conference in New Delhi on Friday without reaching consensus for a joint statement, according to host India. The failure to agree stemmed from conflicting viewpoints among member countries regarding the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The inability to reach agreement underscored the difficulties the alliance faces in staying unified while working to broaden its global reach.
According to India’s official statement, participating nations articulated “their respective national positions and shared a range of perspectives” on matters such as sovereignty, maritime security and safeguarding civilian infrastructure and lives in the Middle East region.
The statement contained a footnote noting that “a member had reservations” regarding portions of sections addressing Gaza and security concerns in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The BRICS alliance consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Disagreements between members have grown more apparent during the Iran war, especially between Iran and the UAE.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed BRICS countries to denounce the U.S. and Israel for what he characterized as their “unlawful aggression.” He additionally urged fellow member nations to oppose what he termed the politicization of international institutions.
