Xi Jinping Urges BRICS to Play Peacemaking Role in Middle East War

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the BRICS group of emerging economies to play an active role in promoting peace amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Speaking at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Xi said the war did not serve the common interests of the international community. China would work with other BRICS members to contribute to peace efforts, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

The BRICS grouping comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Xi described BRICS as a “leading group” of the Global South and called for the bloc to serve as a model of self-reliance among emerging and developing countries. He also stressed the importance of promoting innovation-driven development.

BRICS was established in 2009 as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies and has sought to challenge a global order long dominated by the United States and its Western allies. Its members now account for more than 40% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy.

Xi also said China would assume the BRICS chairmanship next year and host the 19th BRICS summit.

His call for the bloc to take on a peacemaking role comes as the Middle East conflict poses growing geopolitical and economic challenges. BRICS members, however, have differing strategic interests and positions on the conflict, potentially making consensus on a common diplomatic approach difficult.

The appeal nonetheless signals Beijing’s effort to position BRICS as a more active force in global diplomacy and to expand the role of the Global South in addressing major international conflicts.

Source: Reuters