In what government sources described as a major diplomatic breakthrough, BRICS member-states reached a consensus for a joint declaration following intensive, late-night negotiations that lasted till 4 am on Saturday. The talks had been heavily strained by sharp differences between the UAE and Iran over the West Asia conflict and an earlier meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers under India’s presidency had ended without a consensual statement.Official sources said India led prolonged negotiations to reconcile sharp differences between the 2 sides and forge consensus with support from other member-states who were keen that the summit didn’t end without a joint statement.
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Indian officials had expressed confidence about a constructive outcome from the negotiations, following PM Narendra Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in which he expressed solidarity with Tehran, seeking a long-term and win-win partnership with Iran. Modi also met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ahead of the summit.The foreign ministers’ meeting in May ended only with a Chair’s statement as Tehran insisted on an explicit condemnation of the US and Israeli “aggression” against Iran and the UAE of the Iranian attacks. The BRICS declaration is likely to be out later today.
