Members of the 11-nation BRICS group, including China, Russia, Iran and India, have called for maximum restraint amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The call was contained in a joint statement issued on Saturday at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, India.
“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,” the statement said.
The development followed the failure of BRICS foreign ministers to reach agreement on a joint statement during their meeting in New Delhi in May.
Member states Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had been divided over the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
However, after intense diplomatic efforts by India, BRICS leaders adopted a joint statement at the ongoing summit.
The group 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,” the statement said.
It stressed that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be maintained even during armed conflicts to protect people and the environment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the opening of the two-day summit on Saturday, said the Middle East war “does not serve the common interests of the international community”, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders attending the summit.
The BRICS statement also called for greater international cooperation to promote peace and security amid growing global polarisation and distrust.
“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.
The BRICS group was established in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in global institutions.
United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are also attending the summit, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is expected to join later.
