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All eyes on BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meet as focus turns to common position on war in West Asia
ET Bureau | May 14, 2026 11:57 AM CST

Synopsis

The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting commences Thursday. Tensions in West Asia are impacting discussions. Iran and UAE have not reached a consensus on the crisis. India is chairing the meeting. Ministers will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gathering prepares for the September summit. Partner countries will also attend.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow being welcomed as he arrives for the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
All eyes are on the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which begins on Thursday, amid the ongoing war in West Asia, which has heightened tensions between two members of the grouping — Iran and the UAE — and prevented a common position on the crisis.

Despite India’s efforts since February 28, when the war in West Asia began, consensus has remained elusive on a BRICS formulation on the conflict. Iran and the UAE have so far failed to arrive at a consensus despite efforts by New Delhi, aided by Russia and Egypt, ET has learnt.

Also Read | India-Russia discuss energy, trade and global tensions as BRICS ministers gather in Delhi


The meeting will be chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and intense negotiations are underway to reach a consensus. BRICS foreign ministers and heads of delegations from member and partner countries will participate in the meeting. The BRICS foreign ministers will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will prepare the ground for the summit to be held here in mid-September. The meeting will be followed on Friday by a gathering of BRICS members and partner countries at the foreign minister and deputy foreign minister level on Friday. The BRICS partner countries are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Also Read | Beijing talks and Delhi BRICS meet shape global power week

During the meeting, the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries will exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual interest during two sessions on Day 1. On the second day, they will participate in a session themed 'BRICS@20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. This will be followed by a session on 'Reforms of Global Governance and Multilateral System'.

The BRICS foreign ministers last met on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2025. The meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming BRICS chair for 2026.


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