The BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi saw sharp differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the West Asia conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar had heated exchanges during the meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov intervened to cool the tempers, as the situation appeared to deteriorate. Araghchi said Iran is a victim of “illegal expansionism and warmongering” and urged the BRICS nations to “explicitly condemn” what he described as violations of international law by the US and Israel.
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Araghchi called upon the BRICS to resist “Western hegemony and the sense of impunity that the US believes it is entitled to”. He also said that BRICS can and must become one of the principal pillars in shaping a more just, balanced and humane global order.
In his statement, Al Marar mentioned Iran and criticised Tehran for its attacks on several neighbouring countries. Araghchi responded to the UAE minister’s remarks, referring to the UAE allowing its territory to be used by the US to carry out attacks on Iran. They sharply responded to each other’s remarks, as the two countries have been sparring in recent weeks over Tehran’s alleged attacks on energy infrastructure in the UAE.
Expansion and Significance
The India-hosted meet assumes greater significance as the influential bloc grapples with the economic consequences of the West Asia crisis, particularly severe energy-supply disruptions, and Washington’s policy on trade and tariffs. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are the original members of the bloc, which has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
The meeting highlights the challenges BRICS faces in reaching a consensus position on the crisis. It has brought in new members with different perspectives, making it harder to achieve a unified stance. This is evident in the tensions between Iran and the UAE, which have been escalating in recent weeks, with both countries trading accusations over attacks on energy infrastructure.
Regional Tensions
The situation has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further conflict. The BRICS meeting provides a platform for the member states to discuss and address these concerns. However, the sharp differences between Iran and the UAE may hinder the bloc’s ability to issue a joint declaration on the West Asia crisis. The outcome of the meeting will have significant implications for the region and the global economy, and it will be closely watched to see if they can reach a consensus on the crisis.
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