BRICS nations slam unilateral sanctions, push for UN and global finance reforms

BRICS foreign ministers, meeting in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairship, issued a sharp rebuke of unilateral sanctions, calling for the elimination of “unlawful” coercive measures that are not authorised by the UN Security Council. The bloc said such sanctions undermine international law and hurt development, health and food security, while disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations and widening the digital divide.

The joint outcome document stated that BRICS members “do not impose or support non-UN Security Council authorised sanctions that are contrary to international law”. It also flagged concerns around secondary sanctions and their broader impact on global economic stability and sustainable development.

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The statement, however, reflected internal divergences on West Asia. A member country reportedly raised reservations over parts of the paragraph dealing with navigational freedoms in the Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, including references to Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and regional security cooperation. Another member also expressed reservations on parts of the paragraph concerning Gaza and the Palestinian Authority.

Marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS, the ministers reiterated calls for reforming global governance institutions, including the UN Security Council, IMF and World Bank, to give greater representation to developing economies and the Global South. China and Russia reiterated support for India and Brazil playing a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

The ministers also voiced concern over rising geopolitical tensions, protectionism and disruptions to global trade and supply chains. They criticised unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures inconsistent with WTO rules and pushed for restoring a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

On the West Asia front, the bloc expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law. BRICS also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution and Palestine’s full UN membership.

The ministers condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations” and strongly denounced the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir that killed 26 people. They called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, action against UN-designated terror entities and the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN.

The outcome document also backed stronger BRICS cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure, cross-border payments, climate action, food security and resilient supply chains, while supporting further expansion and institutional strengthening of the bloc.