Iran War Reshapes BRICS Ties but Exposes Divides

Source: BBC News | Original Published At: 2026-09-13 11:23:42 UTC

Key Points

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the BRICS summit in New Delhi and urged members to become "rule-shapers" rather than "rule-takers".
• Leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the summit.
• The summit produced the New Delhi Declaration despite divisions that had previously prevented BRICS ministerial meetings from issuing joint statements.
• The declaration urged maximum restraint in the Middle East, condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, and supported a two-state solution, but assigned no blame to specific parties.
• The declaration did not mention Russia's war in Ukraine and avoided naming the United States while criticizing rising tariffs and unilateral sanctions.
• India and China agreed to strengthen business ties and transport links, while Iran and the UAE held high-level talks amid the wider Middle East conflict.
• Iran pressed for deeper economic ties with BRICS members as it faces U.S. sanctions, military pressure, and economic restrictions.