Iran, UAE leaders meet on BRICS sidelines in New Delhi as US-Iran war tests regional ties in Middle East

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who represents the United Arab Emirates, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The meeting is a diplomatic coup of sorts as the two sides have been at odds during the ongoing US-Iran War.

Iran’s official news agency IRNA released video footage of the meeting, but provided no details about the discussions between the two sides.

The two leaders discussed a number of regional and international issues, along with the importance of supporting de-escalation efforts, reducing tensions, and achieving stability in the region, as well as enhancing opportunities for peace and development for its peoples, according to people familiar with the developments.

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed discussed regional issues, emphasizing de-escalation efforts and stability in the Middle East amidst the US-Iran conflict.

The BRICS Summit offers a platform for Iran and the UAE to address their differing interests amidst ongoing conflicts, fostering diplomatic discussions aimed at reducing tensions and promoting regional stability.

India facilitated intensive negotiations among BRICS nations, particularly between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to achieve a consensus on a joint statement despite their competing geopolitical interests.

The New Delhi Declaration represents a crucial diplomatic breakthrough, urging members to address international conflicts and advocating for reforms in global governance, particularly in the context of the ongoing US-Iran war.

Yes, ongoing support for de-escalation efforts is essential for maintaining stability in the region, especially given the complexities of the US-Iran war and differing interests of member countries.

The BRICS Summit, hosted by India as chair this year, came at a challenging moment for India, as the grouping navigates the fallout from the US-Iran war and the wider crisis in the Middle East.

For New Delhi, the challenge was to strike a delicate diplomatic balance. The expanded BRICS includes Iran as well as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, countries with differing interests and positions on the regional conflict in Middle East due to US-Iran war.

At the same time, India maintains important strategic and economic relationships with the United States and the Gulf countries.

New Delhi Declaration

On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration after the first day of the two-day summit hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam.

The declaration is seen as a significant diplomatic breakthrough as its leaders began summit hoping to bridge divisions between members Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the Gulf conflict, which is being held as the United States and Iran resume tit-for-tat strikes in their six-month-old war.

In its declaration, the BRICS bloc also called for the implementation of the relevant UNGA and UNSC Resolutions and urge all parties to ensure the maintenance of ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip.

The joint declaration did not name any country but condemned ​unilateral aggression by any country. Both Iran and the UAE approved the New Delhi declaration.

'Counter unilateral and inhumane sanctions'

During his address to the BRICS Summit the Iranian President had urged the BRICS forum to take practical measures to counter unilateral and inhumane sanctions. Pezeshkian said BRICS must be a voice for justice.

BRICS members have a responsibility to stand against the normalization of attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.

"BRICS members have a responsibility to stand against the normalization of attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, because any action against these sites constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security. The issue of Palestine and upholding the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is a serious test of the credibility and legitimacy of global governance and requires BRICS to play an active role," he said.

(With agency inputs)

About the Author

Gulam Jeelani is Political Desk Editor at LiveMint with over 16 years of experience covering national and international politics. Based in New Delhi, Jeelani delivers impactful political narratives through breaking stories, in-depth interviews, and analytical pieces at LiveMint since February 2024. The expertise in video production fuels his current responsibilities, which include curating content and conducting video interviews for an expanding digital audience.<br><br> Jeelani also travels during elections and key political events and has covered assembly elections in key states apart from national elections. He has previously worked with The Pioneer, Network18, India Today, News9Plus and Hindustan Times.<br><br> Jeelani’s tenure at LiveMint and previous experience at print and digital newsrooms have honed his skills in creating compelling text and video stories, explainers, and analysis that resonate with a diverse viewership.<br><br> Before moving to New Delhi in 2015, Jeelani was based in Uttar Pradesh, where he worked for five years as a reporter. In 2018, Jeelani was one of the two Indian journalists selected for the Alfred Friendly Fellowship in the US. There, he attended training workshops on reporting and data journalism, and he was attached to the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Minnesota, where he worked as a reporter.<br><br> Jeelani is a Bachelor's in Chemistry and holds a Masters Degree in journalism and mass communication from Aligarh Muslim University. Outside work, he enjoys poetry, cricket and movies.

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