UAE and Iran Find Consensus in BRICS Declaration Amid West Asia War

India achieved a much-anticipated consensus at the BRICS summit between UAE and Iran after hectic negotiations paving the way for the joint declaration adopted Saturday.

Since War Started February When

Since the war started on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Tehran has targeted US bases in the Gulf region including in the UAE. This has had the Emiratis and the Iranians at loggerheads over the last six months.

In May this year, when Foreign Ministers of the BRICS met in New Delhi, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov told the UAE and Iranian ministers to hold direct talks. At that time, India was unable to bridge the diplomatic gap within the BRICS and could not come up with a joint statement after the two-day meeting of the Foreign Ministers.

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War West Asia Flaring Following

With the war in West Asia flaring up following the exchange of strikes between the US and Iran. The BRICS Sherpas, the most senior negotiators from the 11 member countries of the grouping, have been burning the midnight oil to hammer out the joint declaration.

With UAE and Iran, new members of the BRICS since 2024, part of the negotiations, Indian authorities worked to bridge the gap between the two sides.

The BRICS leaders said, “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.”.

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"We urge to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in their entirety and interconnectedness, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States,” the declaration said.

Said Secretary (economic relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhakar Dalela, who is also the BRICS Sherpa: “The adoption of New Delhi Declaration was among the defining outcomes of India's chairship, showing that BRICS members can forge consensus on matters of global importance.”.

The negotiators were able to achieve this in the last few days of hectic negotiations. With the war in West Asia flaring up following the exchange of strikes between the US and Iran. The BRICS Sherpas have been burning the midnight oil to hammer out the joint declaration.