Rio de Janeiro– Amid escalating global trade tensions, BRICS leaders have voiced “grave concern” over the growing imposition of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff barriers—seen as a veiled criticism of recent trade measures taken by the United States. However, the bloc refrained from naming specific countries in its joint declaration, adopted unanimously on Sunday during the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
“We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules,” the statement said.
The BRICS grouping—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer members such as Egypt, Iran, and the UAE—also condemned what it described as protectionist policies disguised as environmental regulations, particularly those imposed by developed countries targeting exports from the Global South.
“The proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives, threatens to further reduce global trade and disrupt global supply chains,” the statement added. Such measures, it warned, “introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global development.”
Reaffirming their collective role as a voice for the Global South, BRICS leaders called for fair and equitable treatment for developing countries within a “rules-based, open, transparent, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system,” emphasizing the importance of consensus-based reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
India to Chair BRICS in 2026; Leaders Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack
The BRICS leaders expressed unanimous support for India assuming the BRICS chairmanship in 2026 and hosting the summit. In a significant diplomatic win for New Delhi, the joint declaration condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. While the group refrained from naming the terrorist group or its sponsors, the condemnation was seen as a rare consensus, even from China—Pakistan’s staunch ally.
Moderated Positions on Geopolitical Flashpoints
On several contentious international issues, the BRICS declaration adopted a moderated tone to preserve consensus among its diverse membership:
Iran: The leaders condemned attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, stopping short of naming the U.S. or Israel. They voiced support for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East—implicitly calling for curbing both Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel’s undeclared capabilities.
Israel-Gaza Conflict: Expressing “grave concern” over the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, the statement also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas—again without explicitly naming the militant group.
Russia-Ukraine War: While reiterating the importance of diplomacy and dialogue, the leaders condemned “in the strongest terms” attacks on civilian and transport infrastructure in Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh regions—language widely interpreted as aligning with Moscow’s stance.
Advancing Cooperation in Space and Deep-Sea Exploration
In a notable expansion of BRICS cooperation beyond geopolitical and economic issues, the declaration opposed the militarization of outer space and endorsed the creation of a BRICS Deep-Sea Resource International Research Centre in Hangzhou, China. This signals the grouping’s intent to deepen scientific and technological collaboration.
The 126-paragraph joint statement covered a broad spectrum of global challenges, from trade and security to climate change and frontier technologies—underscoring BRICS’ ambition to position itself as a leading voice in shaping the future global order. (Source: IANS)
