Brics joint statement calls for de-escalation in West Asia

New Delhi: Brics members on Saturday issued a joint statement calling for de-escalation in West Asia, condemning the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, expressing concern over unilateral tariffs and pushing for reforms in global institutions.

The unanimous statement issued on the first day of a two-day Brics leadership summit under India’s chairmanship is a diplomatic win for Delhi after members failed to agree on a joint statement at the grouping’s foreign ministers’ meeting in May.

The May meeting ended with India instead issuing a chairman’s statement and an outcome document after disagreements over the conflict in West Asia revealed divergent positions among members.

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The BRICS joint statement called for de-escalation in West Asia, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

The BRICS members have indicated that unilateral tariffs and trade-restrictive measures threaten to disrupt global trade and international supply chains, and have called for adherence to WTO rules to maintain an open trading system.

India conducted extensive consultations and negotiations, successfully bridging differences and reconciling divergent positions, particularly on Middle East tensions, resulting in a unanimous joint statement.

The BRICS grouping condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest possible terms and reaffirmed its determination to fight terrorism in all its forms, emphasizing collective responsibility for such acts.

Yes, the BRICS joint statement advocated comprehensive reforms of global governance institutions to better reflect the realities of today’s international environment, particularly to strengthen the voice and representation of the Global South.

The declaration expressed concern over the continued escalation of the West Asian crisis and encouraged efforts – through dialogue and diplomacy – for a long-term understanding that will contribute to lasting peace, security and stability in the region.

She also emphasized the need to work together to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with applicable international law. The group’s 11 members include Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are directly affected by the conflict sparked by the joint US-Israeli attacks on Tehran on February 28.

“We further call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in their entirety and interconnectedness, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” the member states said in a joint statement.

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It also expressed concern over “deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards in violation of international law and relevant IAEA resolutions.” “Nuclear safeguards, safety and security must always be observed, even in armed conflict, to protect people and the environment from harm,” he added.

Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2024, with Indonesia joining in 2025.

The 11-member group accounts for half the world’s population, 40% of gross domestic product and almost a quarter of exports.

Pahalgam attacks

The group condemned “in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, in which 26 people were killed and many others injured”, condemning any act of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, “regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomever”.

It reaffirmed the commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorist financing and safe havens. It also reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and that all those involved in and support of terrorist activities must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law.

Tariffs and the WTO

The group noted the proliferation of global trade-restrictive measures, whether in form or form tariffs or non-tariff measures or protectionism under the guise of environmental goals, stressing that they threaten to further restrict world trade and disrupt international supply chains.

“We express serious concern about the increase in trade-distorting unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that are inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules,” it said, pledging to work together to strengthen the global multilateral trade body’s ability to respond to trade distortions. The Brics members have promoted balanced, inclusive and concrete outcomes that strengthen the multilateral trading system and enable it to better address evolving global challenges.

It also condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law. Such measures, including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far-reaching negative consequences for human rights. These include the rights to development, health and food security of the general population of the target states. “We call for the removal of such illegal measures that undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter,” the statement said.

Inclusive global governance

The declaration, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s view on reforming international governance systems to reflect today’s realities and give the Global South its due share in global decision-making and leadership, made at the leaders’ summit just hours earlier, called for inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism.

Members also pledged to further strengthen coordination to make international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund more representative, transparent and accountable.

“We reiterate the urgent need to reform the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI) to make them more agile, effective, credible, inclusive, fit for purpose, impartial, accountable and representative to enhance their legitimacy,” the statement said.

Group members also sought to deepen cooperation in strengthening the availability of artificial intelligence (AI) resources while ensuring their safety, security, inclusiveness and reliability. “Harnessing artificial intelligence for economic growth and social good, and mitigating potential risks, would be critical to promoting a fair, just, equitable and prosperous future for all countries, especially those of the Global South,” they said in a statement.

Brics leaders spoke from their respective national perspectives, but there was broad agreement on the need to make global governance institutions more representative, inclusive, effective and responsive to today’s realities, said Sudhakar Dalela, secretary (economic relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs at a press briefing after the leaders’ meeting.

“Leaders reiterated support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, greater representation of developing countries and reform of the international architecture to give developing countries and the global South a stronger voice,” Dalela added.