Leaders of the 11-member BRICS group have called for maximum restraint in the Middle East and warned against actions capable of further escalating tensions, as Nigeria used the group’s 18th summit in New Delhi to push for stronger trade, investment, technology and industrial cooperation with India and other emerging economies.
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In a joint statement issued on Saturday after intensive diplomatic consultations, BRICS members expressed concern over the continuing deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East and West Asia.
“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 leaders said.
The statement marked a diplomatic breakthrough for the bloc after BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint communiqué during their meeting in New Delhi in May, when differences among members, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, complicated efforts to reach a common position on the war that followed the US-Israeli strikes of February 28.
At the leaders’ summit, however, the member states were able to agree on language calling for restraint and protection of civilian and nuclear infrastructure.
The group condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
“We express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA,” the joint statement said.
“Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm.”
The leaders also drew attention to the wider consequences of global instability, saying increasing polarisation and distrust had made coordinated international action more important.
“We note the current global context of polarisation and distrust and encourage global action to strengthen international peace and security,” the statement said.
The bloc also stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of international trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with applicable international law.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the opening of the two-day summit, said the Middle East war “does not serve the common interests of the international community.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi were among leaders attending the gathering, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was expected to participate later.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a platform for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in international economic and political institutions traditionally dominated by Western powers.
Nigeria, which became a BRICS partner country in January 2025, is participating in the New Delhi summit with a focus on strengthening South-South cooperation and attracting investment into key sectors of its economy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the summit on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
He is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria intends to use its BRICS engagement to learn from India’s experience in technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, particularly in creating opportunities for a large youthful population.
She said India’s ability to deploy technology across agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital services and other sectors offered lessons that Nigeria could adapt to drive innovation, broaden economic opportunities and promote more inclusive development.
The Federal Government said Nigeria would particularly seek opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, manufacturing and industrial development.
Nigeria is also seeking greater technology transfer and collaboration in areas where India has developed significant capacity, including digital innovation and women’s participation in technology.
Separately, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment said the country was using the BRICS engagement to deepen its economic relationship with India and expand bilateral trade beyond crude oil.
According to the minister, trade between Nigeria and India had previously reached about $14 billion before declining to about $9 billion, prompting renewed efforts to rebuild and diversify the relationship.
She said Nigeria was seeking to increase opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness, digital trade, manufacturing and the creative industries while attracting more Indian investment into the country.
The minister noted that India had historically purchased significant quantities of Nigerian crude oil, but said the government now wanted the relationship to extend further into non-oil sectors.
She also disclosed that major investors of Indian origin had expressed interest in meeting members of the Nigerian delegation, with some high-level engagements expected to involve Vice President Shettima.
Nigeria is also looking at collaboration between its creative sector and India’s entertainment industry, particularly the potential for greater cooperation between Nollywood and Bollywood in equipment, manufacturing, investment and content-related businesses.
The government said its wider objective was not only to attract Indian capital into Nigeria but also to ensure that Nigerian goods gain greater access to the Indian market and that trade flows in both directions.
According to the minister, closer economic ties with BRICS countries would also support Nigeria’s push in agriculture, agribusiness, digital trade, manufacturing and the creative economy.
Nigeria’s participation therefore combines diplomatic engagement on major international issues with an economic agenda centred on investment, technology transfer, market access and stronger commercial links with India and other BRICS members.
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