The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi will be remembered for bringing back the question of Palestine within the diplomatic agenda of the Global South. The New Delhi Declaration, adopted on September 12, expressed deep concern over continued violence in Gaza, called for the maintenance of the ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access, and opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
It also reaffirmed Palestinian rights to self-determination and return, backed Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations and reiterated support for a sovereign and viable Palestinian state within the internationally recognised 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. However, what is required is to move beyond symbolic statements towards tangible political, humanitarian and economic measures on the ground paving for an end to the sufferings in Gaza.
What BRICS Actually Said
The New Delhi Declaration urged ‘all parties to ensure the maintenance of ceasefire and full and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip’. It expressed deep concern ‘on the continued violence in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement of October 2025’ and called ‘for halting any policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza Strip’. It reaffirmed ‘that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means’ and ‘on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return’.
BRICS extended ‘support for the State of Palestine’s full membership in the UN in the context of the unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, in accordance with international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, that includes the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognised 1967 borders, which included the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security’.
Regarding the Israeli policy of expanding illegal settlements, BRICS offered ‘firm opposition to the forced displacement, temporary or permanent, under any pretext, of any of the Palestinian population from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as any geographic or demographic changes to the territory of the Gaza Strip’. It reiterated ‘that international law and international judicial bodies demand the end of the illegal occupation and the immediate cessation of all practices that undermine legal norms and obstruct a just and lasting peace’. About Al Quds, the third most holy site for the Muslim Ummah, BRICS rejected ‘any unilateral measures that seek to alter the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem’, urging ‘full respect for the sanctity of all religious sites and holy places in the city and for the rights of all to access and to observe their religious rites without hinderance’.
The Palestinian Perspective
The Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh, welcomed India’s hosting of the BRICS summit and its support to the Palestinian cause. Speaking to the media, Shawesh said, “What Palestinians need now is action. We have heard many of these important positions repeatedly. What is needed is an action plan – an action-oriented plan with a strict timetable and practical measures. We should remember that apartheid in South Africa did not end through declarations alone. International pressure, isolation and boycott played an important role in bringing that system to an end. This also opens the door to legitimate criticism of the declaration itself. There is a flagrant contradiction between the declaration and its implementation. It calls for adequate Palestinian representation in relevant international organisations and multilateral forums, yet Palestine itself was not invited to this BRICS meeting.
“The declaration also fails to clearly identify Israel as responsible for the atrocities endured by Palestinians, does not call for the suspension of weapons supplies to Israel, and does not specifically condemn Israeli settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Supporting Palestine’s full UN membership is important, but political recognition must now be accompanied by practical action.”
India’s Role Matters
India’s role becomes very important because India currently holds the BRICS chairmanship and the declaration was adopted in New Delhi. The Government of India wants BRICS to become a Global South platform that enables a greater role in shaping international rules and not be seen simply as an anti-Western bloc. But, for the Global South to win more influence in shaping the international order, the issue of Palestine becomes a litmus test of how that influence pans out. Will all such noble principles as adherence to international law, civilian protection, self-determination and opposition to forced displacement – remain only on paper or applied consistently even in the face of powerful strategic and economic interests.
Describing the opportunity that Palestine provides India, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Syed SadatullahHusaini said, “The developed world and America will not make our country its leader. India has led the Global South for many years. The issue of Palestine offers India a golden opportunity to lead the Global South once again, and become the most powerful voice against imperialism and oppression. It can be done, even today. We have always played a historical role for the Palestinian cause, if we proceed to play a role once again then I think that will be the greatest service we can discharge for the brothers of Palestine in this country.”
Can BRICS Walk the Talk?
It is a well-documented fact that Israel lobbies governments and politicians to adopt and articulate Israel’s position on Palestine. For example, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) openly declares on its website, “AIPAC is leading the political fight to keep Congress pro-Israel, helping pro-Israel candidates win elections and helping defeat detractors of the US-Israel relationship. AIPAC’s members contribute directly to Democratic and Republican candidates through the AIPAC PAC. As the largest pro-Israel PAC, our members demonstrate that being pro-Israel is both good policy and good politics.”
However, public support or apathy may force governments and lawmakers to change their outlook on certain policies. This is exactly what happened in Europe and the UK. The support on the ground for the Palestinian cause has finally translated in unprecedented policy-changes in the UK, after the appointment of a new Foreign Secretary, Ed Milliband. For the first time, the UK government officially concluded that ‘Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is entirely unlawful’. BRICS will walk the talk only if the respective governments feel the heat of public pressure and realise the political cost of inaction and maintaining status quo over real action against Israel.