Kathmandu. The 11-nation BRICS grouping, including China, Russia, Iran and India, in a joint statement issued at the summit in New Delhi on Saturday, called for peace in the Middle East.

“We express deep concern at the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East-West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for maximum restraint and refrain from actions that escalate the situation further,” the statement said.

When the BRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi in May, they failed to agree on a joint statement. Member states Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were divided over the war that began with the US-Israel attack on February 28, but the leaders’ meeting on Saturday issued a joint statement after intense diplomatic efforts by the host India.

The statement also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.

“We express our serious concern at the deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under the full protection of the IAEA, in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” the statement said.

“Nuclear safety, vigilance and security must be maintained at all times, even in the event of armed conflict, to prevent harm to human beings and the environment,” the statement said. ”

BRICS was established in 2009 as a forum for the world’s largest emerging economies to seek greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening of a two-day summit on Saturday that war in the Middle East was not in the common interest of the international community. ”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pejeskian are all attending the summit.

“We note the current global context of polarization and mistrust and encourage global action to strengthen international peace and security,” the joint statement said. ”

“We reaffirm the need to work together to maintain global trade, supply chains, and energy flows in accordance with applicable international law,” it added.

United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also attend the summit in New Delhi, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan are expected to attend the summit.