# BRICS declaration shows India’s U-turn on Iran, Israel

2026-09-17T12:37:49+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi endorsed most of Iran's diplomatic concerns without condemning its drone and missile attacks on Gulf states, The Diplomat reports. The declaration called for an end to unilateral economic sanctions and protectionist trade measures, indirectly criticising the US, but made no mention of Iran-backed Houthi rebels or attacks on Saudi Arabia. Israel was explicitly named and told to withdraw from Lebanese territory, while the declaration demanded unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza and opposed forced displacement of Palestinians. The Wire notes the summit failed to produce binding agreements on cross-border payments or resource sharing, and did not criticise China's export controls against BRICS nations. The Hindu Businessline reports diplomatic momentum between India and China is gathering pace ahead of expected meetings between Modi and Xi at the SCO summit in Bishkek and the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Diplomat frames the declaration as a dilution of India's pro-Israel, pro-West stance under Modi, highlighting omissions of Iran's aggression. The Wire focuses on structural weaknesses in BRICS and India's lack of a grand strategy. The Hindu Businessline reports the reset with China as steady diplomatic progress. The critical sources overstate India's policy reversal, while neutral reports stress continuity in multi-alignment. The BRICS summit showed India balancing competing pressures without clear strategic direction. The SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31 will test whether the India-China thaw produces tangible outcomes.

## Coverage

- thediplomat.com (government critical) <https://thediplomat.com/2026/09/brics-declaration-indias-great-u-turn-on-iran/>
  Frames declaration as dilution of Modi's foreign policy, emphasises Iran's gains
- m.thewire.in (government critical) <https://m.thewire.in/article/politics/brics-and-the-bjps-ceiling-on-indias-ambition>
  Criticises lack of grand strategy and BRICS structural weaknesses
- thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/border-talks-summit-diplomacy-signal-steady-india-china-reset/article71397301.ece>
  Reports India-China reset and upcoming summits without slant
- eurasiareview.com (government critical) <https://www.eurasiareview.com/07082026-indian-foreign-policy-blunders-oped/>
  Argues India overestimates its leverage and faces strategic setbacks

Tags: BRICS, Iran, Israel, Narendra Modi, United Nations
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