Behind The Agreement: No Ukraine, Iran-UAE Balance, Swipe At (US) Tariffs, Flagging Gaza, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The BRICS Delhi 2026 declaration achieved consensus on contentious global issues through careful diplomatic calibration.
• The declaration condemned "unilateral coercive measures," "unilateral economic sanctions," and "secondary sanctions," implicitly targeting Western policies.
• It notably omitted any mention of the Ukraine conflict, a significant departure from the Rio 2025 declaration.
• China and Russia reiterated their support for India and Brazil's aspirations for a greater role in the UN Security Council.
• The declaration strongly condemned terrorism, specifically referencing the April 2025 attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
• It supported Iran's bid for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and condemned attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.
• The declaration directly addressed the Israel-Gaza conflict, citing UNSC Resolution 2803 and criticizing arrangements that prolong occupation.

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Detailed Insights:

• The 45-page declaration emphasized cooperation across trade, health, artificial intelligence, and tourism, adopting a non-confrontational tone.
• It echoed the Rio 2025 declaration on several points, including the Gaza conflict and UN Security Council reforms.
• The condemnation of "unilateral blockade measures" on Cuba served as an indirect reference to the US embargo.
• The declaration expressed opposition to the "carbon border adjustment mechanism," targeting specific US and EU trade-climate policies.
• Russia's presence at the summit was a key factor in the complete omission of the Ukraine conflict to avoid divisive language.
• The language regarding UN Security Council reform was a direct copy-paste from the Rio 2025 declaration, underscoring China and Russia's geopolitical influence.
• China was acknowledged for extending zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries, positioning it as a benefactor to the Global South.
• The condemnation of attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities referred to alleged June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
• The declaration criticized arrangements that might legitimize or prolong occupation, referencing South Africa's International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel.
• It called on Israel to respect agreed terms and withdraw occupying forces from Lebanon, mirroring the 2025 declaration's formulation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Unilateral Coercive Measures: Economic or political measures imposed by one state on another without international authorization.
• Secondary Sanctions: Sanctions imposed on entities that engage in transactions with a primary target of sanctions.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): A tariff on imports based on the carbon emissions generated during their production.
• UNSC Resolution 2803: A resolution cited in the declaration that opposes the forced displacement of Palestinians.