West Asia conflict likely hindrance to cementing Brics declaration

NEW DELHI: India’s push for agreement at the BRICS summit beginning Sept 12 faces divisions among its members over the West Asia conflict.Russian officials, speaking to their country’s media, have acknowledged difficult negotiations, while Brazilian reporting has raised doubts about a strong final declaration. Yet Chinese commentary has highlighted opportunities for India’s presidency, including closer trade ties. These contrasting accounts suggest that the challenge for New Delhi is to keep economic cooperation moving while finding language that countries with conflicting security interests can accept.The Sept 12–13 summit at Bharat Mandapam will bring these differences into focus. A final declaration records the common positions that participating countries have agreed to support.Cannot predict outcome of declaration: Russian ministerRussian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS that some members were sharply critical of Tehran’s actions, making the Gulf situation Brics’ most pressing political issue.