BRICS Fails to Reach Joint Statement as Iran-UAE Rift Exposes Divisions Over Gulf Crisis

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New Delhi:India issued a chair’s statement instead of a joint declaration after the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi ended without consensus due to disagreements among member nations over the escalating conflict in the Gulf region.

The divisions were largely driven by tensions between Iran and United Arab Emirates, both BRICS members now backing opposing sides in the ongoing Iran conflict involving the United States and Israel. Iran reportedly pushed for stronger condemnation of U.S. and Israeli military actions, while the UAE strongly criticized Iranian attacks targeting Gulf states.

As the 2026 BRICS chair, India released a separate chair’s statement acknowledging “differing views” among member states regarding the Middle East situation. The document emphasized dialogue, diplomacy, sovereignty, maritime security, and the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure.

The summit highlighted growing challenges within the expanded BRICS bloc, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE. Analysts say the inability to produce a unified statement reflects increasing geopolitical differences inside the group as it seeks a larger global role.

India also used the meeting to push for reforms of global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, while stressing the importance of safe maritime trade routes amid disruptions linked to the Gulf conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.