A two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers concluded in New Delhi on Friday without a joint statement, after member countries failed to bridge differences over language related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the host nation India.Officials said the absence of a consensus reflected diverging national positions within the expanded grouping, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

The inability to issue a unified statement has highlighted the growing challenge of maintaining cohesion within the bloc as it seeks to strengthen its global influence.The Indian side noted that participating countries expressed “their respective national positions and shared a range of perspectives” on key issues such as sovereignty, maritime security, and the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure in conflict zones, particularly in West Asia.

However, these differences ultimately prevented agreement on a common declaration.According to the official statement, a footnote was included indicating that “a member had reservations” regarding portions of the draft text related to Gaza and security in strategic waterways, including the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. These disagreements were significant enough to block the adoption of a joint communique at the end of the meeting.

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The divisions within BRICS have become more visible amid escalating tensions in the region, especially as differing positions have emerged between Iran and some other member states, including the United Arab Emirates. Analysts note that the expanded membership has added both geopolitical weight and ideological diversity, making consensus more difficult on sensitive global security issues.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged BRICS countries to condemn the actions of the United States and Israel, which he described as “unlawful aggression,” while also calling for resistance against what he termed the politicisation of international institutions.The outcome of the meeting underscores the complexities facing BRICS as it evolves from an economic alliance into a broader geopolitical platform, with internal divisions increasingly shaping its ability to present a unified stance on global crises.

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