At their recent summit in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS leaders issued a firm rebuke of the United States and Israel for recent military actions against Iran and for the ongoing war in Gaza. They labelled the attacks on Iran as a serious violation of international law and expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the Middle East. The bloc also expressed strong support for Palestinian statehood, reaffirming that Gaza and the West Bank are vital components of a future independent Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Despite this bold stance on conflicts involving the US and its allies, the bloc’s declaration was notably quiet on the war in Ukraine. While it criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, it avoided mentioning Russia’s role as the aggressor in the conflict, which has entered its fourth year. Instead, the focus remained on calls for a sustainable peace solution and condemnation of actions that lead to civilian casualties.
The summit also tackled growing economic tensions with the United States, particularly in light of potential new tariffs expected soon. Without directly naming former US President Donald Trump, the statement criticized “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures” that distort international trade and undermine global institutions like the World Trade Organization. It warned that such protectionist policies are a threat to global economic stability, disrupt supply chains, and hinder progress toward development goals.
In response, Trump warned on social media that any country supporting BRICS policies would face an additional 10 percent tariff, signaling further escalation in trade disputes. The BRICS bloc, comprising 10 member states, is projected to grow at 3.4 percent this year—faster than the global average—according to international economic forecasts. Three of its members—Brazil, China, and India—rank among the world’s top 10 economies.
The group also condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare and the politicisation of humanitarian aid in Gaza. They voiced support for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which has faced bans and accusations from Israel amid the conflict. The war in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mostly women and children, and massive infrastructure destruction.
BRICS reiterated its rejection of unilateral sanctions, often used by the US against countries like Iran and Russia. Such measures, they argue, violate international law and cause widespread humanitarian harm. Both nations remain under heavy US sanctions—Russia since its Ukraine invasion, and Iran due to its nuclear program and historical tensions with Washington.
The summit also addressed a deadly attack in India-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. While the bloc strongly condemned the incident and called for zero tolerance on terrorism, it stopped short of naming Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting the perpetrators. Instead, it called for impartial investigations and emphasized the need to avoid double standards in counterterrorism efforts.
Though leaders from most member nations attended, key absences included the presidents of China, Russia, and Iran. Nonetheless, the summit marked Indonesia’s first as a full member, while several other countries, including Nigeria, Vietnam, and Cuba, were welcomed as BRICS partners, indicating growing interest in the bloc’s global influence.