Members of the 11-nation BRICS group including China, Russia, Iran and India have called for calm in the Middle East, in a joint statement at a summit in New Delhi.
“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,” said the statement yesterday.
Foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping failed to agree on a joint statement when they met in New Delhi in May, with member states Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates divided over the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Feb 28.
But a statement was issued at the leaders’ meeting yesterday after intense diplomatic efforts by the host, India.
The statement also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
“We express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA,” it said.
“Nuclear safeguards, safety and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm,” the statement added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking yesterday at the opening of the two-day summit, said that the Middle East conflict “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Besides Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other leaders attending the summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“We note the current global context of polarisation and distrust and encourage global action to strengthen international peace and security,” the joint statement read.
“We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law,” it added. — AFP
