Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS bloc to take on a peacemaking role in the Middle East conflict addressing the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
Xi Jinping said the ongoing war has caused serious losses across the region and does not serve the common interests of the international community, according to state broadcaster CCTV. China, he said would work with fellow BRICS members toward that goal.
BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE was founded in 2009 to offer an alternative to the Western-dominated global order. Its members together represent more than 40% of the world's population and nearly a quarter of the global economy.
Xi described the bloc as a "leading group" within the Global South and a model of self-reliance for emerging economies also calling for greater innovation-driven development among member states.
He also announced that China will take over the BRICS rotating presidency in 2027 and host the 19th summit.
Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received a warm welcome. The two-day summit running through September 13, aims to strengthen BRICS cooperation and promote stability amid ongoing global upheaval. On the sidelines Xi also held bilateral talks with Modi.
