Iran President, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince discuss regional hostilities, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on West Asian hostilities during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
• The meeting, the highest-level contact between the two nations since the conflict began, aimed at de-escalation and strengthening regional stability.
• The New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the BRICS Summit, expressed deep concern over West Asian conflicts and called for maximum restraint.
• Iran's President stated that West Asia's security should be guaranteed by its regional players, not the United States.
• The declaration also supported the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognised 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Detailed Insights:

• The discussions occurred amidst continued hostilities in West Asia, including Iran's recent targeting of military installations in the United Arab Emirates.
• The New Delhi Declaration emphasized the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy in accordance with international law.
• It called for halting policies aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians and ensuring humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
• The declaration urged Israel to respect agreements with the Lebanese government and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territories.
• It also took a strong position against attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which have escalated since October 2023.
• India played a significant diplomatic role in bridging differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates to achieve consensus on the declaration.
• The arrival of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud further highlighted the prominence of West Asian issues at the summit.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS Summit: An annual meeting of the heads of state or government of the member countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and expanded members) to discuss global issues.
• New Delhi Declaration: The joint statement issued by BRICS leaders at the conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, outlining their collective stance on various global and regional matters.
• 1967 borders: Refers to the demarcation lines between Israel and its neighbors prior to the Six-Day War of June 1967, which are internationally recognized as the basis for a two-state solution.
• United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): A UN peacekeeping mission established in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore peace, and assist the Lebanese government in re-establishing its authority.