New Delhi [India], September 12 (ANI): The New Delhi Declaration, adopted by consensus in the national capital, reaffirmed BRICS’ support for a lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while urging deeper international institutional support for Palestine and reaffirming Israel’s legal obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“We reaffirm that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return,” the declaration said.
The declaration also affirmed the need for adequate representation of Palestine in all relevant international organisations, including multilateral financial institutions, and access to their resources.
It further reaffirmed support for the State of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, in the context of the “unwavering commitment” to the two-state solution and in accordance with international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The grouping said this should include the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognised 1967 borders”, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The declaration said this was aimed at achieving “the vision of two States living side by side, in peace and security.”
BRICS also expressed firm opposition to the forced displacement, whether temporary or permanent, of any of the Palestinian population from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as any geographic or demographic changes to the Gaza Strip.
“We express our 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 said.
The declaration said international law and international judicial bodies demand an end to the illegal occupation and the immediate cessation of practices that undermine legal norms and obstruct a just and lasting peace.
“We reiterate our grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the declaration said, calling for adherence to international law, particularly international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
It condemned violations including “the use of starvation as a method of warfare, attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and other civilian infrastructure, as well as the unlawful obstruction of humanitarian access.”
BRICS also condemned attempts to politicise or militarise humanitarian assistance and reaffirmed its “steadfast support” for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
“We reassert our steadfast support for UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and stress the need to fully respect the mandate, bestowed on it by the UNGA, for the provision of basic services to Palestine refugees in its five fields of operations,” the declaration said.
The grouping called on all relevant parties to respect their obligations under international law, act with “utmost restraint” and avoid escalatory actions and provocative declarations.
It also noted the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice in the legal proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel, which, among other things, “reaffirmed Israel’s legal obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
On Jerusalem, BRICS rejected unilateral measures seeking to alter the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem and urged full respect for the sanctity of all religious sites and holy places in the city.
“We urge 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 hindrance,” the declaration said.
This comes as part of the wide-ranging geopolitical issues addressed in the New Delhi Declaration as India hosts the BRICS Summit 2026. (ANI)
New Delhi Declaration reaffirms BRICS’ unwavering commitment to two-state solution, calls for stronger institutional support to Palestine
