Russia Hopes BRICS Can Bridge Iran-UAE Divide
Russia has expressed confidence that the BRICS Summit in New Delhi can help bridge differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the West Asia conflict and allow members to reach consensus on a joint declaration.
Iran-UAE Differences Complicate BRICS Declaration
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said disagreements between Iran and the UAE had made negotiations over the summit documents more difficult.
BRICS Sherpas are meeting in New Delhi ahead of the September 12-13 summit to finalise the leaders’ declaration, with language concerning the West Asia conflict emerging as one of the most sensitive issues.
A BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in May ended without a joint statement after members failed to reach unanimity on certain issues, including differences involving Iran and the UAE.
Russia Backs Indian Efforts to Find Consensus
Peskov said Moscow remained hopeful that diplomats would find language capable of accommodating the national interests of both countries.
Russia considers both Iran and the UAE friendly countries and has offered to assist efforts aimed at normalising their relations. Peskov said Moscow supported regional security and mutual trust while opposing aggressive actions.
He also praised India’s BRICS presidency and expressed confidence in New Delhi’s ability to help negotiate a compromise.
New Delhi BRICS Summit to Cover Security, Economy
The summit will focus on three broad pillars: politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Other subjects expected to feature include counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, energy, food security, connectivity and reform of international institutions.
Russia has also rejected suggestions that BRICS is an anti-Western grouping, maintaining that the organisation is intended to advance the interests of its members rather than confront third countries.
