India calls for dialogue, diplomacy as West Asia tensions dominate BRICS meet

India on Thursday raised alarm over the escalating conflict in West Asia, warning that tensions in the region were threatening global economic stability and maritime security, while calling for dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law as the only sustainable path to peace.

Addressing the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the continuing instability in West Asia, particularly around key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, had exposed the fragility of the global order and intensified pressure on developing economies.

“The conflict in West Asia merits particular attention. Continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation,” Jaishankar said in his national statement at the meeting attended by BRICS foreign ministers and delegates.

He stressed that safe and uninterrupted maritime flows through international waterways remained “vital for global economic well-being”, amid growing concerns over disruptions to global energy and supply chains.

The minister also expressed serious concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reiterating India’s support for a sustained ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and a credible pathway towards a lasting resolution of the Palestine issue through a two-state solution.

Referring to the wider turmoil across West Asia and North Africa, Jaishankar said Lebanon and Syria continued to face grave challenges, while Sudan’s conflict had imposed a “heavy human cost”. He also flagged humanitarian concerns in Yemen and stressed the importance of stability in Libya.

“Stability cannot be selective, and peace cannot be piecemeal,” he said, asserting that international law must be upheld and civilians protected.

In a veiled criticism of Western sanctions regimes, India also cautioned against the growing use of “unilateral coercive measures” that were inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter.

“Such measures disproportionately affect developing countries. These unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy,” Jaishankar said.

The remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty amid conflicts in West Asia, continued tensions in Europe and growing divisions in the global economic order.

In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said the world was passing through a period of “considerable flux” marked by conflicts, economic uncertainty, climate challenges and disruptions in trade and technology.

He said there was a growing expectation among emerging economies and developing nations that BRICS would play a “constructive and stabilising role” in global affairs.

The External Affairs Minister said India, as BRICS Chair, had already hosted over 80 meetings under the grouping and was working to strengthen institutional mechanisms following the expansion of the bloc.

Without naming any country, Jaishankar underlined the need for all new members to fully subscribe to BRICS consensus positions on key issues for the grouping’s smooth functioning.

He also reiterated India’s longstanding demand for reforms in global governance institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, saying the continued delay in reforming multilateral institutions carried a “high cost”.

On terrorism, Jaishankar said there could be “no justification” for terrorism in any form and called for “zero tolerance” towards cross-border terrorism.

He also highlighted concerns relating to climate change, technological inequities and the digital divide, while urging greater cooperation among BRICS nations to address vulnerabilities faced by developing countries in areas such as energy, food, fertiliser and health security.