New Delhi, April 13 (ANI) — Iran said it supports a BRICS Declaration and does not want the grouping to appear split as foreign ministers prepare to meet in India. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, made the remarks ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by New Delhi.
Gharibabadi noted that an escalation between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other began on February 28, and that a frosty ceasefire remains between the United States and Iran. He said Iran wants the India-hosted BRICS meeting to succeed and does not want to convey a message of division within the bloc.
He accused a single neighbouring country of pushing for a BRICS statement that condemns Iran for attacks on its neighbours, a charge Iran rejects. Gharibabadi maintained that Iran has not attacked neighbouring countries, arguing instead that some neighbours have ceded territory to the United States and that attacks are launched on Iran from those areas. He said Iran has documented such incidents in a 500-page submission to the United Nations and cannot accept continued aggression.
Last month, BRICS deputy foreign ministers and special envoys met in New Delhi to discuss the Middle East and North Africa, but were unable to reach consensus on a joint statement. Instead, a Chair’s Summary was issued noting members expressed deep concern about the recent conflict in the Middle East and shared views on a range of issues.
The summary covered the Palestine question and the situation in Gaza, including humanitarian assistance and the role of UNRWA; a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism; support for a ceasefire in Lebanon and condemnation of attacks on UNIFIL; post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation in Syria; a political settlement in Yemen; stability and development in Iraq; the political process in Libya; and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs later said a joint statement was not possible because members could not reach a general consensus on the ongoing West Asia conflict. Differences within BRICS over the issue appear to involve Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Gharibabadi added that Iran welcomes any peace initiatives from India, noting past mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and Oman and saying mediators facilitate rather than negotiate. He said Iran welcomed a Pakistani initiative as well.
Iran is a full member of the expanded BRICS group. India will host the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14-15, 2026, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Foreign ministers and delegations from member and partner countries are expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exchange views on global and regional issues, and hold sessions on the BRICS@20 theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, as well as on reforming global governance and the multilateral system.
The previous BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting took place on September 26, 2025, on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, with India chairing in its capacity as incoming BRICS chair. (ANI)
