New delhi: BRICS must reject "occupation, settler colonialism," and "settler terrorism," as Israel's "aggression" in the Middle East has affected "far beyond" those directly involved, the Malaysian prime minister told the bloc's annual summit in New Delhi on Sunday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar Ibrahim stated, "BRICS must say plainly and unequivocally that occupation, settler colonialism and, more pointedly, 'settler terrorism' cannot become destiny, and that no life weighs less for where it is lived," as per a statement on the US social media platform Facebook. He emphasized that discussions on inclusive growth and prosperity are undermined by war, which elevates energy prices and threatens critical sea lanes.
Anwar highlighted the far-reaching effects of Israel's actions in the Middle East, noting that they have escalated inflation and uncertainty globally. The US and Israel's war on Iran, which began on Feb. 28, caused Tehran to retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Israel and US assets in the region. The conflict led to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, significantly disrupting global energy and trade flows.
Malaysia's stance, as explained by Anwar, remains committed to respecting sovereignty, safeguarding civilians, and keeping global economic arteries free from conflict. He also cautioned that although technological advancements are rapid, economic benefits remain inaccessible for much of the developing world, with many countries experiencing or at risk of significant debt distress.
During an open session titled "Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth," Anwar noted that BRICS' combined market strength provides an opportunity to diversify trade and lessen dependency on Western markets. He urged the bloc to collaborate in dismantling unfair trading practices, sharing development experiences, and enhancing technical cooperation and training in emerging fields like semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).
Anwar further stressed that financing should address basic needs without imposing unsustainable debt on countries, advocating for advancing initiatives such as the New Development Bank, local-currency settlements, and Islamic capital markets. He also emphasized that the green transition must be tailored to reflect countries' unique circumstances, development stages, and pace.
The expanded 11-member BRICS grouping now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Vietnam, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025.
On Saturday, the bloc adopted the New Delhi Declaration, committing to deepen cooperation with emerging markets, developing countries, and BRICS partner nations.