Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan

BRICS leaders in New Delhi managed to bridge sharp differences between Iran and the UAE, producing a joint declaration that called for restraint in the Middle East conflict and protection of civilian infrastructure.

The summit saw rare direct talks between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signalling cautious diplomatic progress.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This was the highest-level meeting between the two countries since the outbreak of the war earlier this year. The talks focused on de-escalation, stability, and advancing regional peace, though no resolution was announced.

The BRICS Summit itself was overshadowed by the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The conflict has severely disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel and raising concerns about energy security. India, as host, sought to mitigate risks to its energy supplies and shipping costs by encouraging dialogue between Tehran and Abu Dhabi.

The UAE had suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran in August after repeated missile attacks, including one targeting the Al Minhad Air Base.

Despite this, both countries signed onto a BRICS joint statement urging restraint, protection of civilians, respect for sovereignty, and safeguarding of global trade and energy flows. This was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, even if largely symbolic.

The joint declaration was hammered out after late-night negotiations lasting until 4 am. It expressed serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. This wording was crucial in persuading Iran to agree, as it implicitly criticised US-Israeli actions without naming them directly.

Iran emphasised the need to fight against the normalisation of attacks on civilian and nuclear infrastructure. The declaration avoided naming any country, instead prioritising dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for sovereignty. It also called for maximum restraint to prevent further escalation.

China’s President Xi Jinping attended the summit in his first visit to India in seven years, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to BRICS. Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto also participated, alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Their presence highlighted the bloc’s ambition to represent the wider Global South.

India’s role was pivotal in bridging the Iran-UAE divide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership was credited with keeping difficult conversations alive and ensuring consensus. The outcome echoed India’s success at the G20 in 2023, where it had also managed to secure a joint declaration despite deep divisions.

The summit reaffirmed BRICS as a platform for emerging nations to challenge Western dominance and sanctions. While the joint statement may not alter the geopolitical landscape immediately, it demonstrated unity among members and a willingness to engage in peace making.

The delicate balancing act between Iran and the UAE remains unresolved, but the summit showed that dialogue is possible even amid conflict. For India, the easing of tensions could help secure energy supplies and stabilise shipping costs, critical for its economy.

Agencies