Victor EzejaLeaders of countries in the BRICS group have condemned the increase in tariffs and recent attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States.
The group made the declaration in a joint statement released on Sunday at the opening of a two-day Summit holding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe group warned that the hike in tariffs is against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. It added that the tariff policies impose restrictions that “threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.”
BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in June 2009, with a focus on advancing multilateral policies. However, the group last year expanded to include the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia. It also has 10 strategic partner countries, a category established last year, which includes Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan Nigeria and Vietnam.
Speaking at the Summit on Sunday, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, criticised NATO’s decision to hike military spending by 5 per cent of GDP annually by 2035.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were absent. While Jinping was represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang, Putin spoke through a video conference during the opening session on Sunday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was represented by his foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.
Attacks on Iran
While condemning the attacks on Iran, the group did not mention the United States or Israel, the two countries that carried them out.
Iran’s foreign minister called on all members of the United Nations to condemn the attacks and that the U.S. and Israel should be held accountable for their actions against his country.
On the impact of the war, Araghchi said the whole Middle East region and beyond will be affected.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the two-state solution, demanded the release of all hostages, and voiced “grave concern” for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
India PM Modi Seeks Increased Economic Cooperation among BRICS Nations
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who spoke on ‘Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence’ during a plenary session at the BRICS Summit, emphasised how to make the group more effective in an increasingly multipolar world.
He also stressed the need to strengthen economic and financial cooperation among BRICS nations and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The BRICS Summit continues on Monday.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
