The BRICS nations on Monday expressed grave concern over the “unprecedented” escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military operations and reaffirmed their support for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
At a meeting in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod, the BRICS foreign ministers reiterated the grouping’s unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution to the Palestine issue based on international law. Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs Dammu Ravi represented India at the crucial meeting. The BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
“The ministers expressed grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operation that led to mass civilian displacement, death and casualties,” a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting said.
Gaza Aid
BRICS is an acronym for original members of the grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping also called for immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip. It also pressed for the effective implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 2728 for an immediate, durable and sustained ceasefire.
The foreign ministers “equally called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and civilians who are being illegally held captive”. They expressed grave concern over increasing attacks by Israel in Rafah, saying it would compound the ”dire” humanitarian situation. “The Ministers further condemned the Israeli military operation in Rafah and its ramifications that directly impact the civilian lives, especially in view of the high density of Palestinian civilians in this location,” the statement said.
“They also reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt aiming at forcefully displacing, expelling or transferring the Palestinian people from their land,” it said. “Furthermore, they cautioned against the spill over effects of escalation of tensions to the rest of the Middle East region. They acknowledged the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the legal proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel,” it said. The ministers expressed “serious concern at Israel’s continued blatant disregard of international law, the UN Charter, UN resolutions and Court orders”, according to the statement.
On Monday, India also wholeheartedly welcomed Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining the BRICS as their representatives attended a key meeting of the grouping for the first time. “A significant meeting in the format of expanded BRICS family. India wholeheartedly welcomes the new membership,” the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. The meeting on Monday was the first ministerial meeting following BRICS expansion in 2023 when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as full-fledged BRICS members.
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