The two-day BRICS foreign ministers' meet in the national capital was dominated by heated discussions over the West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz tensions. According to reports from Business Standard, heated exchanges between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar marred one of the two sessions of the conclave. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov intervened to soothe frayed tempers during the tense discussions. The foreign ministers from Iran, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa attended the India-hosted conclave ahead of the BRICS summit in September. However, tensions have escalated further with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran during the ongoing West Asia conflict, as reported by Goa365 TV. Iran claimed the UAE failed to condemn attacks on Tehran and was aligning with Israel, while Emirati representatives rejected the allegations during the latest session.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took a vehement stance against unilateral coercive measures, denouncing 'increasing resort' to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter. Speaking at the opening session of the BRICS foreign ministers' conclave, Jaishankar said sanctions and coercive measures that bypass international law end up hurting developing nations the most. He emphasized that 'such measures disproportionately affect developing countries. These unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy', without naming any country directly. Jaishankar also warned that continuing tensions in Middle East, particularly around key shipping lanes and energy infrastructure, were creating serious global risks. He stressed that 'the conflict in West Asia merits particular attention. Continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation'. Jaishankar also noted that the world is passing through a period of major global flux marked by ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainty and challenges linked to trade, technology and climate change, as reported by Press Trust of India.
Iran's Araghchi urged the group to condemn the US and Israel's military campaign against Tehran and sought India's backing to forge a consensus, according to Business Standard reports. He called on BRICS member states and all responsible members of the international community to explicitly condemn violations of international law by the US and Israel, including their alleged aggression against Iran. The diplomatic clash has raised concerns over divisions within the expanded BRICS bloc as member nations struggle to reach consensus on the Iran war and regional security issues, as reported by Goa365 TV. Araghchi emphasized that 'BRICS can — and must — become one of the principal pillars in shaping a more just, balanced, and humane global order'.
The conflict has created significant challenges for India's diplomatic relations, as reported by Business Standard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the UAE on Friday, while India has 4.5 million Indians living and working in the UAE compared to only a few thousand in Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the media that one BRICS member country was pushing the group to condemn Iran, holding up a consensus on the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also met Prime Minister Modi separately to discuss regional and global issues. Jaishankar addressed the BRICS' concerns over the Gaza conflict and its grave humanitarian implications, underscoring the need for a sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a credible pathway towards a durable and peaceful resolution. He also reiterated India's support for a two-state solution for Palestine and the importance of upholding international law.
Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to Global South leadership and equitable international order, seeking efforts for a more stable, equitable, and inclusive international order. He said that conflicts, climate events and Covid had weakened growth prospects and deepened vulnerabilities, with many of these issues having far-reaching consequences beyond their immediate region. For developing countries, the priority is not only growth, but managing vulnerabilities under increasingly difficult global conditions. Jaishankar expressed frustration over the delay in UN reforms, stating that 'The state of the United Nations, which is at its core, is particularly worrisome. With each passing day, the case for reformed multilateralism only gets stronger'. He called for reform of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories, adding that continued delay came at a high cost.
