BRICS foreign ministers fail to agree joint statement in New Delhi as Iran-UAE rift deepens

BRICS foreign ministers, meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on May 14-15, 2026 under India's 2026 chairship, failed to issue a joint statement, leaving host India to release only a Chair's Statement that openly acknowledged 'differing views among some members' on the Middle East. Per Al Jazeera, core members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were joined by extended members Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and the UAE.

The principal fault line ran between Iran and the UAE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, without naming the UAE, said a member had blocked parts of India's proposed text and urged condemnation of 'violations of international law by the United States and Israel'; UAE Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar rejected Iran's remarks, accusing Tehran of justifying 'terrorist attacks' and citing roughly 3,000 Iranian attacks on UAE territory. The Chair's Statement and Outcome Document reportedly ran to 63 paragraphs, two carrying footnoted reservations and one acknowledging differing views on West Asia.

India's text stressed consensus areas: UN and Security Council reform favoring Global South representation, Gaza as integral to Palestinian statehood, support for a Lebanon ceasefire, and condemnation of unilateral economic sanctions. India will host the 18th BRICS leaders' summit later in 2026.