BRICS summit calls for 'maximum restraint' in the Middle East

The BRICS nations, in a joint statement issued on the sidelines of their 18th summit in New Delhi yesterday, called for “maximum restraint” in the war in the Middle East. The statement read: “We express deep concern over the continuous escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia. While recalling our specific national positions, we call for the exercise of maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could exacerbate the situation.”

The BRICS forum was established in 2009 to bring together major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—and was soon joined by South Africa. The bloc subsequently expanded to include countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The New Delhi summit opened yesterday with the attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, alongside high-level participation from other member states.

The summit featured a series of meetings. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to discuss the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance it, contributing to economic integration and opening new avenues for partnership in key sectors. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the meeting reviewed avenues for cooperation and coordination within the framework of their historic friendship and comprehensive economic partnership, which continue to evolve across various fields, as well as exchanging views on several issues and topics of mutual interest.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to continuing to strengthen joint efforts, support developmental partnerships, and broaden their horizons to realize the aspirations and visions of the leaderships of both countries, bringing prosperity and well-being to their friendly peoples.

The Indian Prime Minister stressed that BRICS nations have become a major force in the global economy, representing, along with partner countries, approximately 50% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP, and more than 25% of international trade volume.

Speaking at the BRICS 2026 Business Forum, Modi noted that the combined GDP of the group has grown by approximately 4.5 times since its founding in 2006, compared to a global economic growth of about 2.5 times during the same period, reflecting the growing economic power of BRICS nations at a rate nearly double that of the global economy. He clarified that the group, which began with four countries twenty years ago, has now expanded to include 21 countries along with its partners, becoming a growing hub for innovation and solutions, from local initiatives to advanced technologies.

The Indian Prime Minister emphasized that global trade growth is linked to the security of sea lanes, the continued openness of supply routes, and the safety of seafarers, reaffirming India’s support for freedom of navigation. Modi pointed out that India’s presidency theme for the group is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” noting that India has worked over the past twelve years to diversify and enhance the reliability of supply chains in the energy and technology sectors, alongside expanding road, railway, port, and airport projects.

For his part, the Egyptian President stated that current developments in the Middle East and their negative impacts on the global economy, trade, energy, and supply chains underscore the close interconnection between security and development.

El-Sisi added in his speech at the BRICS summit that “Egypt, given its strategic location and pivotal role in global trade, recognizes the importance of maintaining the stability and freedom of international navigation. Therefore, we must continue to build on what has been achieved within BRICS and utilize the potential of our countries to establish specific projects and programs that support sustainable development goals, diversify growth sources, enhance productivity, and reduce developmental and technological gaps.”

He emphasized that strengthening food security, water security, and energy security holds particular importance given the challenges facing developing countries, including rising food and energy costs and supply chain disruptions, which highlight the need for an integrated approach that considers the close interconnection among these areas. He added, “We appreciate the significant progress witnessed in the cooperation track in the fields of agriculture and environment, particularly in food security, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable water resource management.”

El-Sisi stated that “his country views BRICS as a promising opportunity and an effective framework for building practical partnerships and developing a more balanced international economic system capable of meeting the aspirations of our countries and peoples.”