BRICS Backs Gaza Ceasefire, Slams Terrorism
Foreign ministers meeting in Delhi pushes for UN reforms and opposes unilateral tariffs
- BRICS calls for immediate and unconditional Gaza ceasefire
- Bloc condemns terrorism and April 2025 Jammu and Kashmir attack
- Members oppose unilateral tariffs and economic sanctions
- India chairs landmark BRICS meeting marking bloc’s 20th anniversary
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th May: Foreign ministers of the BRICS nations on Friday issued a wide-ranging joint statement condemning terrorism, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and pushing for reforms in global governance at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in New Delhi.
Hosted by India as the 2026 BRICS chair, the meeting brought together representatives of all ten member nations and focused on geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, artificial intelligence, climate finance and reforms of international institutions.
On the Gaza conflict, the ministers called for an “immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire” and demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories.
The statement also called for the release of all hostages and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza while condemning the use of starvation as a method of warfare and attempts to politicise humanitarian aid.
BRICS members reaffirmed support for a sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and backed Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
The bloc also expressed support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid growing international scrutiny of the organisation.
On terrorism, the ministers strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, describing it as a serious act of terrorism.
The statement reiterated that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality or ethnic group while calling for zero tolerance against terrorism, dismantling safe havens and stopping terror financing.
The ministers also renewed calls for the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations, a proposal long advocated by India.
In the economic sphere, BRICS voiced concern over rising unilateral tariffs and non-tariff barriers, warning that such measures distort global trade and violate World Trade Organization rules.
The grouping also criticised unilateral economic sanctions, saying they negatively impact developing economies and civilian populations.
The ministers renewed demands for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council with greater representation for developing nations from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
China and Russia reiterated support for greater roles for India and Brazil in the United Nations system.
The meeting also discussed global AI governance, climate finance and outer space cooperation. BRICS members backed Ethiopia’s hosting of COP32 and reaffirmed support for the Paris Agreement.
The ministers expressed support for the upcoming XVIII BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this year, after which China will assume the bloc’s chairship for 2027.
