Negotiators from BRICS nations toiled deep into the evening hours attempting to forge agreement on the controversial Delhi Declaration, a key outcome document of the summit, but failed to resolve a sharp disagreement over how to characterize the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to diplomatic sources familiar with the talks, the central sticking point revolves around language referencing the war in Iran, which was initiated by the United States and Israel, as well as Iran's retaliatory strikes against military installations in the United Arab Emirates and other West Asian countries. Officials said that despite intensive behind-closed-doors discussions stretching late into the night, no consensus had been reached on the specific wording that would appear in the final declaration. The inability to agree on this language highlights the delicate balancing act that has defined India's presidency of the BRICS grouping, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several newer member states. Each country brings its own geopolitical calculus to the table, and positions on the Iran conflict and broader Middle Eastern tensions vary significantly across the bloc. Russia and China have historically maintained closer ties with Iran, while several BRICS members have more measured relationships with Western powers. The prolonged negotiations suggest that achieving even minimal common ground on contentious geopolitical issues remains one of the most persistent challenges for the organization. The Delhi Declaration, intended as the summit's flagship output, is expected to cover a range of topics from economic cooperation and trade to reforms of multilateral institutions and global governance. However, the failure to produce unified language on the Iran war signals that the group's ambition to present a cohesive alternative voice to Western-dominated forums may face continued headwinds when confronting sharply divisive international crises. Delegates are expected to return for further rounds of consultation.
BRICS Negotiators Labor Past Midnight Over Draft Declaration amid Iran War Row
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BRICS member states remain locked in debate over how to address the Iran conflict in the Delhi Declaration, with references to the US-Israel war and Iranian strikes on Gulf targets still unresolved late into evening negotiations.
Key Facts
- BRICS negotiators worked late into the evening without reaching agreement on the Delhi Declaration
- The main dispute centers on language about the US-Israel war in Iran and Iranian attacks on UAE installations
- Russia and China maintain closer ties with Iran, creating diplomatic friction within the bloc
- The disagreement underscores the challenge of presenting a unified voice on contentious global conflicts
- Further negotiation rounds are expected as delegates continue consultations
Why It Matters
The delays over the Delhi Declaration reveal the inherent difficulty of building consensus among diverse BRICS members with divergent foreign policy interests, particularly on the deeply polarizing issue of the Iran conflict. For India, which hosts the summit, the ability to deliver a coherent joint statement is a measure of its diplomatic leadership on the world stage. The outcome will signal whether BRICS can function as a meaningful voice for the Global South on major geopolitical issues, or whether internal divisions will continue to dilute its collective impact.
