China’s Xi urges BRICS to take on peacemaking role in Middle East war

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged BRICS nations to step in as peacemakers in the Middle East during a summit in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The weekend gathering brings together leaders as the ongoing war continues to impact regional populations and global energy supplies.

New Delhi BRICS Summit Focuses on Middle East Conflict

As leaders gathered in New Delhi for the weekend BRICS Leaders’ Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping placed regional diplomacy at the forefront of the international agenda. The summit features heads of state including the Chinese, Russian, and Iranian presidents, unfolding against a backdrop of prolonged global conflicts.

State-run broadcaster CCTV reported that the Chinese leader emphasized the human toll and diplomatic urgency of the situation across the Gulf. The Russia-Ukraine war has also continued for more than four years, while the U.S.-Iran conflict has dragged on for seven months.

“The situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region and does not serve the common interests of the international community”

Xi Jinping, Chinese President, via Anadolu Ajansı

Xi called on BRICS countries to firmly stand on the right side of history, stating that Beijing would work alongside other members to play their due role in achieving peace and tranquility in the Middle East and Gulf region. State-run CCTV quoted Xi as affirming that China will work with other BRICS members in that role because the war does not serve the common interests of the international community.

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Global South Influence and Institutional Growth

The BRICS framework represents a major demographic and economic bloc. Anadolu Ajansı notes that the group now accounts for approximately 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade. Figures cited directly by BRICS indicate that its members together account for more than 40% of the world’s population and almost a quarter of the global economy. Originally established in 2009 to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies, the grouping has expanded significantly over the years.

Photo: Anadolu Ajansı

The current membership groups Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Xi called the bloc a leading group in the Global South and a model of self-reliance among emerging and developing countries that should promote innovation-driven development. Xi also described the mechanism as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries while outlining priorities for collective governance.

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Rejection of Bloc Confrontation and Protectionism

He urged member states to oppose violations of other countries’ sovereignty, interference in their internal affairs, and all forms of protectionism.

Photo: Reuters

Rejecting all forms of protectionism, the Chinese leader urged the bloc to lead global governance across cyberspace, outer space, and deep sea, and amplify the voice of the Global South. The Chinese leader called on the bloc to reject a Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, emphasizing instead that BRICS should pioneer in improving global governance, uphold United Nations authority, and strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence.

Xi specifically highlighted cyberspace, outer space, and the deep sea as areas requiring coordinated leadership from emerging economies to amplify the voice of the Global South. He also stressed the need to uphold United Nations authority and strengthen technological cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence, while urging members to take the lead in promoting mutual learning among civilizations and improving global governance.

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Upcoming Presidency and Next Steps

With India’s current term concluding, China is scheduled to assume the rotating BRICS presidency next year. According to CCTV, China will assume the BRICS chairmanship next year and host the 19th BRICS summit, continuing a rotation that follows the last summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025.

On Sunday, BRICS leaders are scheduled to attend an open session titled Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth, charting the cooperative path for the expanded developing-nation bloc through the coming year.