BRICS Leaders Adopt Cautious Middle East Statement in New Delhi

BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, calling for “maximum restraint,” dialogue and diplomacy as tensions rise in the Middle East. The statement also criticized unilateral sanctions and tariff or non-tariff measures that the bloc says are not authorized through the United Nations framework.

The declaration was adopted on the first day of the BRICS leaders’ summit hosted by India. It is a political statement, not a treaty, ceasefire, sanctions order or enforcement mechanism. Its significance is that an expanded group with competing regional and strategic interests found common language on de-escalation, sovereignty, economic pressure and multilateral governance.

What the declaration says

The declaration expresses deep concern about the continued escalation in the Middle East and calls for actions that do not further aggravate the situation. It urges disputes to be addressed through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy while allowing members to maintain their separate national positions.

Leaders also voiced concern about what they described as deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities operating under international safeguards. The statement says nuclear safety and security should be protected during armed conflicts. That language was reported as an indirect criticism of strikes affecting Iranian nuclear facilities; the declaration itself did not name the countries responsible.

The statement further opposes unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, along with sanctions and other coercive economic measures that are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council. That is the bloc’s political position. The declaration does not itself determine the legal status of any particular sanction, tariff or trade restriction.

Why Iran and the UAE matter

The consensus was diplomatically notable because Iran and the United Arab Emirates are both members of the expanded BRICS grouping but do not have identical regional relationships, security priorities or views of the conflicts affecting the Middle East. Their support for the same text reflects overlap on selected principles—especially restraint, sovereignty and opposition to unilateral economic pressure—not a shared strategy on the underlying disputes.

The wider bloc includes countries with competing interests, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Reaching common language therefore required the declaration to emphasize broad principles rather than prescribe a joint response to the conflict.

India’s role as host

India’s hosting role provided the summit’s diplomatic setting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized dialogue, regional stability, freedom of navigation, commerce and the safety and well-being of seafarers.

On September 11, Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the summit. India’s official account said the two leaders discussed developments in West Asia and that Modi reiterated India’s position that issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The account also referred to efforts to protect regional peace and stability, freedom of navigation and commerce, and seafarer safety.

What changes—and what does not

The declaration gives BRICS a shared public message on de-escalation, sanctions, trade restrictions, sovereignty and the role of the U.N. system. It may help members coordinate diplomatic messaging and build support among countries that want developing states to have a larger role in global institutions.

But the document does not create a binding obligation for members. It does not impose sanctions, require a ceasefire, establish an enforcement process or guarantee coordinated BRICS action. It also does not show that the Middle East conflict has ended, paused or materially changed because of the summit statement.

For governments, businesses and travelers, the immediate effect is indirect. The declaration signals continued disagreement over sanctions, trade barriers, regional security and the authority of multilateral institutions. The next test is whether BRICS members follow the political language with concrete diplomacy, humanitarian efforts or other coordinated measures.

Sources

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