BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting Ends Without Joint Statement Amid Iran War Divisions
May 2026 | By Azad News
Top diplomats from BRICS member states failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement following a two-day meeting in New Delhi, highlighting deep divisions over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Instead of a unified declaration, host nation India released a chair’s statement and outcome document, noting that member countries held “differing views” on the situation in West Asia and the broader Middle East.
The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, has increasingly faced internal disagreements over regional conflicts and global geopolitical alignments.
Iran reportedly pushed for a strong condemnation of the US-Israeli war, while also accusing the UAE of involvement in military operations against it, further intensifying tensions within the bloc.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said one member state had blocked parts of the proposed joint statement, though he did not directly name the UAE.
He added that Iran’s actions were directed only at US military bases located in the region and expressed hope that diplomatic positions would evolve ahead of the upcoming BRICS leaders’ summit.
The UAE foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations or the disagreements within the meeting.
India’s chair statement noted that BRICS members expressed varying positions on the conflict, ranging from calls for diplomatic resolution to emphasis on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.
The document also highlighted concerns over safe maritime trade routes, protection of civilian infrastructure, and the importance of maintaining stability in global shipping lanes.
On the Gaza issue, BRICS members reaffirmed support for Palestinian self-determination and described Gaza as an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories under a future unified Palestinian authority.
However, India noted that one member had reservations regarding parts of the Gaza-related section of the document, further illustrating the lack of consensus within the group.
As the incoming BRICS chair for 2026, India emphasised the need for unity among developing nations and stressed the role of the Global South in addressing global challenges.
The ongoing Iran conflict has also significantly affected India, which relies heavily on energy imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
Reports indicate that disruptions in the region have already impacted maritime security and raised concerns over global oil and LNG supply stability.
Conclusion
The failure of BRICS nations to issue a joint statement reflects widening geopolitical divisions within the bloc, particularly over the Iran conflict. As tensions continue in the Middle East, the lack of consensus underscores the challenges facing multilateral diplomacy in managing complex global crises.
This article is a rewritten summary based on publicly available information. It has been fully paraphrased for informational purposes only and does not reproduce any original copyrighted text.
