Iran-UAE Disagreements Prevented BRICS Statement in New Delhi: Reports

The latest BRICS meeting of senior officials, hosted by India last week, could not arrive at a consensus document due to sharp differences between Iran and the UAE over the West Asian conflict.

According to Indian media reports, the BRICS deputy foreign ministers and special envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) met in New Delhi on April 23 and 24, 2026, in preparation for the foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in May 2026.

At the meeting, the discussions entirely focused on the current West Asian conflict, triggered by the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran on February 28. India considers West Asia as part of its extended neighbourhood.

The senior officials from BRICS member-states “could not produce a consensus document because there was a sharp difference of positions among members, who are party to the conflict,” an Indian newspaper reported, quoting an unnamed person with knowledge of the matter.

Iran and the UAE could not bridge their differences on the conflict, with both countries calling for condemnation of the attacks on their territory, the report said. These differences have also hindered efforts to issue a BRICS statement on the Iran-US conflict, it said. “Efforts to bridge the gaps by all other member states were not successful,” it said.

The report also noted that India’s stance ⁠on the Palestine issue at the BRICS meeting was in line with the position adopted at a meeting of the foreign ministers of India and the Arab League on January 26, when New Delhi reiterated its support for a two-state solution.

The BRICS meeting ended on April 24 with India issuing a chair’s statement, as there was no consensus on an outcome document, the report added.

BRICS members at the meeting expressed “deep concern” about the West Asia conflict, and the discussions covered the Palestine issue, including the provision of humanitarian aid, the role of UNRWA, and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.

The BRICS deputy foreign ministers and special envoys will now meet next under China’s chairmanship of the grouping in 2027.

During his visit to the BRICS meeting in New Delhi, China’s Special Envoy for West Asia Zhai Jun met Indian Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Neena Malhotra, when the two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation under the BRICS.

A readout of the meeting released by China’s Foreign Ministry said Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong was present when the two officials met. “Zhai Jun stated that as major developing countries, China and India have always maintained communication on major international and regional issues,” the readout said.

“China values the important role played by India as the rotating BRICS presidency and hopes that this BRICS consultation on the Middle East will send a strong voice on the regional situation and play a constructive role in achieving regional peace and stability,” it said.

Quoting Malhotra, the readout said India values the important role played by China within the BRICS mechanism and appreciates China’s support for India in hosting relevant activities under the mechanism.

“India is willing to work with BRICS countries, including China, to jointly promote the early de-escalation of regional tensions,” it added. The two sides also exchanged views on the war in Iran, the Palestinian question, and other issues.