NEW DELHI, May 15. /TASS/. Participants in the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in the Indian capital reached mutual understanding on almost all items of the agenda, Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Sudhakar Dalela, whose country holds the group’s chairmanship, stated at a press conference.
"On almost all issues discussed within the framework of the three key areas of our strategic partnership - politics and security, economy and finance, as well as culture and people-to-people contacts - we managed to find common ground and reach a mutual understanding among all participants," he said. Dalela emphasized that the final document reflects the unified position of the member states on practically all topics considered.
According to Dalela, the BRICS foreign ministers expressed firm support for practical cooperation in various areas. "In the future, we will continue to interact with all BRICS members and partner countries, striving to reach consensus wherever possible," he added.
Answering a question about the discussion of events in the Middle East, the representative of the Indian foreign policy department acknowledged that "there were some differences in views among some members of the association regarding the situation in the Middle East." "The BRICS countries presented their national positions and shared a wide range of views on this issue. Among the positions voiced were the need for an early resolution of the current crisis, the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to international law, ensuring safe and unhindered maritime navigation on international waterways, as well as the protection of civilian infrastructure and the civilian population," he noted.
Dalela called the discussion by the participants of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the consequences of the situation in the Middle East for the global economy constructive. "This aspect was emphasized during the discussion by representatives of several countries," he stressed.
The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place in New Delhi on May 14-15. Russia was represented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Following the meeting, a chairperson's statement was published, held this year by India.