'Talks till 4am': How India got rivals Iran, Saudi Arabia & UAE to sign off on Brics joint statement
India successfully mediated a consensus for a BRICS joint statement after intense, late-night negotiations between member nations with conflicting geopolitical interests. The breakthrough is seen as a diplomatic win for India's presidency of the group.
Why it matters
It demonstrates India's growing influence as a diplomatic bridge-builder in a multipolar world, especially among rivals like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, India secured consensus on the Brics Joint Statement after intense negotiations. The consensus came after discussions continued until around 4am on Saturday.The breakthrough assumes particular significance as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, countries with deep differences and competing positions on several regional and geopolitical issues — are all part of the grouping. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions in West Asia, India led sustained consultations to bridge competing positions and ensure that the differences did not derail the joint statement.Government sources told TOI that the talks involved “differences on several contentious issues” and that India led sustained consultations to bridge competing positions and ensure that the disagreements did not derail the joint declaration."The negotiations saw differences on several contentious issues. India led sustained consultations to bridge competing positions and build consensus among members.
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