NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on BRICS countries to play a greater role in restoring peace in West Asia and the Gulf region, saying the grouping should stand on the “right side of history” amid the ongoing conflict.
Addressing the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, Xi described BRICS as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. He said China would work with other members to promote peace and stability in West Asia and the Gulf.
Xi said the continuing conflict in the region had inflicted serious losses on people and was not in the common interest of the international community. He urged BRICS members to play their “due role” in efforts to bring peace to the region.
The Chinese president also called for opposition to a Cold War mentality, violations of national sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
On technology, Xi urged BRICS nations to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence and use it to promote new industrialisation among member countries.
He also called on the grouping to take a leading role in global governance covering cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea, while strengthening the voice of the Global South.
Xi said BRICS countries should promote innovative development, contribute to global peace and stability, and encourage greater mutual learning among civilisations.
Stressing the need to improve global governance, he said the grouping should work towards a more just and equitable international order and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi arrived in New Delhi early Saturday, marking his first visit to India in seven years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received him at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung are also attending the summit.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Zou Jiayi are among the other participants.