BRICS leaders agree for immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza

BRICS leaders have called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, urging an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East and a renewed push for lasting peace and stability.

The call came on the first day of the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi, attended by leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In a joint declaration, the leaders rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza and called for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations. They also stressed the need to protect civilians and nuclear facilities from attacks and urged the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The bloc reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution as the basis for a lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.

The leaders also warned that ongoing conflicts were disrupting global trade, food supplies and energy routes. They called for efforts to keep trade flowing and opposed what they described as unjustified sanctions.

Xi said the war was benefiting no one and was instead causing wider harm to the world.

The BRICS bloc, established in 2009, has expanded in recent years with the addition of several countries, strengthening its influence in global affairs. The leaders’ joint position comes amid growing geopolitical tensions and concerns over the impact of conflicts on global peace and commerce.