“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” said the statement.
BRICS tells Israel: Halt Gaza displacement, end occupation, withdraw from Lebanon .New Delhi Declaration expresses deep concern over continued violence in Gaza despite the October 2025 ceasefire
In this image released on September 12, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and others during the 18th BRICS Summit at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. MEA via PTI
In a strong message on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit on Saturday expressed deep concern over continued violence in Gaza despite the October 2025 ceasefire and urged all parties to ensure its maintenance.
BRICS opposed any arrangements that could prejudice the “inalienable rights” of Palestinians or legitimise or prolong occupation. It also called for an immediate halt to policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Leaders of BRICS countries on Saturday endorsed sharing of best practices in education in the human-centred use of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and discussed further exploration for the development of the BRICS University Global Ranking and Evaluation System. The leaders extended their support to continuing cooperation through existing BRICS education mechanisms, including the BRICS Network University. In a declaration, the leaders noted with appreciation India's initiative in circulating the BRICS Guiding Principles on strengthening academic collaboration on traditional and indigenous knowledge systems, and encouraged the BRICS Network University to consider the possible inclusion of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge systems as an additional International Thematic Group (ITG).
Declaration comes amid growing tensions over the use of tariffs and sanctions as instruments of economic and foreign policy
In this image released on September 12, 2026, from left, Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali pose for a group photograph amid the ongoing 18th BRICS Summit, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. MEA via PT
BRICS countries have strongly criticised unilateral tariffs and economic sanctions, warning that such measures threaten global trade, disrupt supply chains and deepen economic disparities.
Also read: BRICS New Delhi Declaration backs greater Global South role, flags lack of women as UN chief
The New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, voiced “serious concerns” over the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules
The grouping said the proliferation of trade restrictions, including indiscriminate tariff hikes and protectionism imposed in the name of environmental objectives, could further reduce global trade and create uncertainty for businesses and economies.
BRICS said it would work to make the WTO more responsive to trade disruptions and the needs of emerging markets and developing economies, while pushing for balanced and inclusive outcomes to strengthen the multilateral trading system.
The declaration also condemned unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions, saying they were contrary to international law and had far-reaching consequences for populations in targeted countries.
Such measures, it said, disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable sections by undermining their rights to development, health and food security, while also deepening the digital divide and worsening environmental challenges.
BRICS called for the elimination of what it described as “unlawful measures”, saying they undermined international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
The grouping reiterated its opposition to unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions that have not been authorised by the UN Security Council.
The declaration comes amid growing tensions over the use of tariffs and sanctions as instruments of economic and foreign policy, with BRICS positioning itself in favour of a rules-based multilateral trading system.
Foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping failed to agree on a joint statement when they met in New Delhi in May, with member states Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates divided over the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
But a statement was issued at the leaders’ meeting on Saturday after intense diplomatic efforts by host India.The statement also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
“We express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA,” it said.
“Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm.”
BRICS was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking Saturday at the opening of the two-day summit, said that the Middle East war “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are all at the summit.
“We note the current global context of polarisation and distrust and encourage global action to strengthen international peace and security,” the joint statement read.
“We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law,” it added.
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is also at the summit in New Delhi, as is Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is expected to join later on Saturday.