BRICS Foreign Ministers Fail to Reach Consensus on Iran War

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held from May 14 to 15, 2026, in New Delhi, concluded without a joint communique due to deep internal divisions over the conflict in West Asia. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, chaired the gathering under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," but was unable to broker a consensus among the expanded bloc's members regarding the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi used the forum to condemn the "unlawful aggression" of the U.S. and Israel and accused the United Arab Emirates of being an active partner in those attacks by providing military bases and airspace. In response, UAE Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar rejected these claims and demanded a condemnation of Iranian strikes that targeted Emirati civilian infrastructure with nearly 3,000 missiles and drones. The friction was so severe that Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi claimed one member state blocked the joint statement by insisting on condemning Iran.

Despite the diplomatic deadlock, the group reached agreements on over 60 other issues, including trade, climate action, and reforms to the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with various delegations, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy. To resolve the lack of consensus, India issued a chair's statement and an outcome document noting the "differing views" on sovereignty and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting served as a preparatory event for the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for September in New Delhi.