India has refrained from calling for an Israeli ceasefire and abstained from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) vote on a resolution advocating a ceasefire, a position contrary to other BRICS members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not participate in the November 21 virtual summit of the BRICS, which aims to address the ongoing Israel's War On Gaza. Officials have confirmed that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the event.
The BRICS, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are pivotal emerging economies striving to reshape the global order. Starting from January 1, 2024, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will join as new members.
Leaders from these prospective new members are set to attend the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Brazil President Lula Da Silva are expected, alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as per a statement from the South African presidency.
So far, More than 13,300 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands at about 1,200.
BRICS Countries' Stance on Israel’s War on Gaza:
Diverging from other BRICS nations, India aligns its stance with the U.S. and Western countries. India has refrained from calling for an Israeli ceasefire and abstained from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) vote on a resolution advocating a ceasefire, a position contrary to other BRICS-Plus members.
Historically vocal in support of the Palestinian cause, South Africa, particularly the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, has consistently linked Israel's war on Gaza to the country's own struggle against apartheid.
Demonstrating long standing sympathy for the Palestinians, China supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian war.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has accused the West of exacerbating tensions in the Middle East and criticised Israel's conduct in the conflict.