The BRICS group of emerging economies adopted a unanimous joint declaration on September 12, 2026, during their annual summit in New Delhi, urging maximum restraint in the Middle East and calling for the protection of civilian and nuclear infrastructure. The summit gathered leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Middle East Tensions and Calls for Restraint
The New Delhi Declaration expresses deep concern over the ongoing escalation of conflict in the Middle East and West Asia. Member states urged parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further aggravate the situation. Foreign ministers of the 11-nation bloc had previously failed to reach a consensus on a joint statement during their May meeting due to divisions among member states like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates over the war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. However, intensive diplomatic efforts by host India secured a unified stance at the leaders’ summit.
The joint statement explicitly condemned deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities. The group emphasized that such actions violate international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm,” the declaration stated. Chinese President Xi Jinping stated during the summit’s opening that the Middle East war does not serve the common interests of the international community, urging the BRICS bloc to act as a peacemaker, according to state news agency Xinhua and CCTV.
Global Trade and Unilateral Measures
Beyond regional security conflicts, the BRICS declaration addressed global economic stability, supply chains, and energy flows. Members stressed the necessity of maintaining the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy in accordance with international law. The bloc also voiced strong concerns regarding the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort international trade, addressing a backdrop that includes U.S. sanctions against Tehran and Moscow.
The summit marked a significant diplomatic gathering for the 11-nation bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Originally established in 2009 to provide a forum for emerging economies seeking greater influence outside institutions dominated by Western powers, BRICS members now account for more than 40 percent of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy.