BRICS nations, including Iran and Russia, met in New Delhi on Thursday, where India warned of “considerable flux” in a world hit by conflict, economic uncertainty and energy insecurity.
War in Iran and the related fuel crisis are dominating discussions in the two-day gathering.
India was hosting the foreign ministers from the expanded bloc that now includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — countries at odds over the conflict launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
“We meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations,” India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, in his opening speech, before closed meetings began.
Among the foreign ministers attending were Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and Russia’s Sergei Lavrov.
“Ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainties, and challenges in trade, technology, and climate are shaping the global landscape,” Jaishankar added, saying many countries “continue to face challenges on energy, food, fertiliser and health security”.
Disruptions around Gulf shipping routes and the Strait of Hormuz continue to drive volatility in oil and gas markets, increasing pressure on energy-importing economies, including India.
India’s foreign ministry also condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged ship off Oman on Wednesday as “unacceptable” — with all sailors rescued safely by Muscat.
“We deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the foreign ministry said, without giving further details of who launched the attack.
Araghchi, speaking in New Delhi, insisted that the Strait of Hormuz “is open for all” commercial vessels who “cooperate” with its navy.
Source: Insider Paper
