Diplomatic deadlock over Iran war stalls BRICS summit declaration in Delhi

Negotiators at the BRICS summit in New Delhi worked late into Friday night to break a diplomatic deadlock over the war in Iran, scrambling to secure a joint "Delhi Declaration" before leaders sit down for their main session on Saturday afternoon.

Diplomats say all member states have agreed on almost the entire draft, with the exception of a single, highly contested paragraph. The dispute boils down to how the text should address the military conflict in the Middle East.

Iran, whose Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated in February, is pushing for an explicit condemnation of military actions by the United States and Israel. However, the United Arab Emirates is demanding "equal condemnation" of Iran’s subsequent drone and missile strikes on Gulf shipping and infrastructure. Iran has rejected this, arguing that its strikes were limited to military targets and carried out in self-defence.

The impasse has already disrupted BRICS meetings earlier this year, forcing Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to issue a "Chair's Summary" instead of a joint statement at a ministerial meeting in May.

Modi’s push for compromise

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Friday lobbying key players to avoid another diplomatic stalemate. Modi held bilateral talks with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose close alliance with Tehran gives him significant leverage.

India is hoping to replicate its diplomatic success from the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, where negotiators managed to forge a consensus declaration despite deep divisions over the war in Ukraine.

The host nation has made a visible effort to court Iran's new president. Pezeshkian was given a red-carpet welcome upon arrival, and Modi was seen holding his hand warmly during a business event on Friday. Pezeshkian is also scheduled to be the only visiting leader to hold a private meeting with Indian President Draupadi Murmu.

Addressing the bloc, Pezeshkian urged BRICS members to create mechanisms that would prevent the obstruction of "legitimate trade." The conflict has hit member states hard, shutting down cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global energy prices, and disrupting shipping routes.

Who is at the table?

The leaders of eight BRICS nations, including China, Russia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, will assemble at the Bharat Mandapam complex on Saturday.

However, some key heads of state are absent. Brazilian President Luiz In
cio Lula da Silva stayed at home ahead of upcoming domestic elections, sending Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in his place. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, currently on a visit to Germany, is represented by his son, Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed.

Saudi Arabia, which was invited to join the bloc in 2024 but has not yet formally joined, is represented by its Foreign Minister, Farhan bin Saud. UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres is also attending the main session, which will focus on global governance and multilateralism.