The BRICS group calls for "maximum restraint" in the Middle East

 The BRICS countries, including Russia, China, India, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, called in a joint statement on the sidelines of their summit in New Delhi on Saturday for “the utmost degree of restraint” in the war in the Middle East.

“We express deep concern about the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia. Recalling our specific national positions, we call for the exercise of maximum restraint, as well as the avoidance of actions that would exacerbate the situation,” the statement said.

However, India, the host of the summit, made unremitting efforts to bring views closer.

In its statement, the BRICS countries condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.

She said in the statement, “We express deep concern about the deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities covered by full safeguards from the International Atomic Energy Agency, in violation of international law and relevant IAEA decisions.”

She stressed the need to comply with “nuclear safeguards and safety and security standards, including during armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment.”

The BRICS Forum was established in 2009 to bring together the major emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and South Africa quickly joined it, outside the framework of blocs dominated by the United States and Western powers, such as the G7.

The bloc later expanded to include countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which adopt vastly different positions on the war in the Middle East.

The New Delhi summit opened on Saturday in the presence of the presidents of China, Russia, Iran and Egypt in particular, as well as high-level participation from the other countries of the group.

Within the framework of the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping considered that the war in the Middle East does not serve “the common interests of the international community,” according to what was reported by the New China News Agency (Xinhua).

“We note the current global context of polarization and mistrust and encourage measures to strengthen global peace and security,” the joint statement said.

The statement added, "We stress the need to work together to maintain the smooth flows of global trade, supply chains and energy in line with applicable global laws."