The joint declaration at the BRICS 2026 summit expressed 'deep concern' over hostilities in the Middle East. China's President Xi Jinping said the Iran war was not in the bloc's interest.

Speaking at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for greater efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

"China is willing to work with fellow BRICS members to play due role in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region," President Xi Jinping told the official Xinhua news agency in New Delhi.

"The war has caused serious losses to people across the region and does not serve the common interests of the international community," Xi added, according to Xinhua.

Xi also pointed out that power politics are on the rise, the international order is being challenged and there are growing shortcomings in terms of peace and security. The BRICS nations must stand "on the right side of history," he urged.

What does the joint declaration say?
On the first day of the BRICS Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of a joint declaration.

The joint declaration adopted by the BRICS coalition calls for "maximum restraint" in the Middle East.

"We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation," the statement read.

The member states have reiterated their commitment to peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy.

The declaration also advocates for a multilateral approach that respects diverse national viewpoints and positions on crucial global issues.

The declaration comes at a time ​when the US and Iran have resumed tit-for-tat strikes ​against each ‌other, after a pause in fighting for much of August.

Since the bloc inlcuded Iran and US-ally UAE both, it was expected that reaching a concensus will be difficult.

Additionally, the bloc expressed concerns ‌about the rise of "unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures" that distort trade, against the backdrop ​of US sanctions ⁠against Tehran amid its war with the country, and against Russia ⁠over its ​conflict with Ukraine.

The bloc stressed on the need to cooperate to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy.

Xi says US-Iran war doesn't serve "common interests": Xinhua
Speaking during the BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the Middle East war, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, does not serve the world's interests, Beijing's state media reported.

"As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region," state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying in New Delhi, which is hosting the 18th BRICS summit attended by leaders including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

It "does not serve the common interests of the international community", Xi said, according to Xinhua.