Call at BRICS summit to end Middle East conflict, keep trade flow normal

Leaders of the alliance have called on all sides to remain restrained to end the conflict in the Middle East at the final stage of the 18th BRICS summit that started in New Delhi of India. At the same time they have also emphasised keeping the global trade flow normal.

Various discussions are ongoing in the international arena on whether the ice of China-India relations will melt at the BRICS summit or whether Russia is advancing with any new strategy. It is still not clear what was discussed at the closed-door meeting of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the heads of state and representatives of seven countries. However, the world’s attention is now on New Delhi centering the summit.

On the second and concluding day of the summit from the morning local time on Sunday the heads of government of the BRICS member states including the host country India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the invited state guests started arriving at the main venue. After the reception phase the leaders took part in the traditional group photo. After that the main attraction of the summit the open plenary session started.

At this session discussions were held on the global trade structure, building a sustainable production system by reducing carbon emissions and technological cooperation. Although only the heads of government of the full member states participated in the joint meeting held earlier, representatives of BRICS partner countries, invited guests and international organisations also participated in the open session.

In the welcome speech Narendra Modi expressed optimism about the outline of the new world order. He informed about placing trust on the members of BRICS in protecting the political balance of West Asia and the energy instability worldwide due to the Iran war.

Tariff war, terrorism, Middle East crisis and the political equations of West Asia gained importance in the discussions of the world leaders at the summit. Although the main phase of the summit was kept on the concluding day, Modi held multiple bilateral meetings with the leaders of various countries on the first day itself.

India’s Prime Minister held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, Le Minh Hung of Vietnam and outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. As a result these side meetings are being viewed as much more important than the main session of the summit.

Among the messages received from the meetings on Saturday the issue of establishing peace in the Middle East has gained the most importance. A joint statement has also been given from the side of the 11 member states of BRICS including China, Russia, Iran and India on this issue.

India wants to take a mediating role to reduce the tension created between Iran and the United Arab Emirates due to the recent conflict. Although no specific message has come on this issue from the summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken about it. In a statement given to NDTV he said there is a kind of reluctance among many countries to acknowledge the source of the conflict with Iran.

Meanwhile it has been learnt that discussions have also been held on the development of relations between India and China and establishing peace on the border.

On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping has somewhat disappointed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the summit. He did not participate in the dinner given by Modi as he became tired due to the long travel and one programme after another. Later the Chinese President left New Delhi taking the responsibility of organising the next summit.

BRICS is advancing with the goal of building a strong alternative global platform outside the western dominance in world politics and economy. However, even after nearly 17 years of establishment the alliance has faced various global crises. The energy crisis has intensified worldwide due to the United States-Iran war. On the other hand, the conflict involving Russia is also continuing in Europe.

In this situation the question remains as to how effective a role BRICS and its summit can play in resolving these global crises.