BRICS strives for balanced statement on Iran at its July summit

New Delhi: BRICS group of nations is holding intensive negotiations to frame a fair and balanced statement on the Iran-Israel conflict at its upcoming summit, slated for July 6-7 in Rio De Janeiro under the presidency of Brazil.

BRICS has 11 members, including Iran, and it works by consensus, with interests of all members taken into account while preparing a summit statement, ET has learnt. Iran, as one of the parties in the conflict, has its own view which it wants to get reflected in the statement, said people familiar with the matter. However, other members, including India, are trying to take a balanced approach and are working to prepare a statement that weighs all positions, a person said on the condition of anonymity.

Spirit of GROUPING

"I think true to its spirit of consensus building, we will find a formulation that conveys the spirit of BRICS in terms of relying on international law, on joint negotiations and inclusive negotiations; we will find, I think, a formulation that will be acceptable to all member countries," Brazilian envoy to India Kenneth Haczynski da Nobrega told ET regarding references on Iran-Israel conflict in the Summit.

An official of one of the BRICS member states, who did not wish to be named, told ET that the group has always found a mechanism to reach a consensus and come up with a common language or approach on critical issues despite divergent views.

VIEW ON UN Security Council
Opinions also differ on the inclusion of new BRICS partners and elevation of current BRICS partners to full membership status. However, there are hopes that a consensus will be reached in due course, a person said. BRICS members also have different opinions on UN Security Council expansion but there are efforts to arrive at a consensus.