Addressing the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Xi Jinping said the ongoing war in the Middle East has caused heavy losses to people in the region and is not in the common interest of the international community.
He urged BRICS countries to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf, saying the group should play a leading role in promoting peace and stability while refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.
According to Chinese state media, Xi described BRICS as an important leading group of the Global South and said it should set an example by promoting self-reliance, innovation and development among emerging and developing countries.
BRICS was initially formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates later joined the group.
Xi said China will assume the BRICS presidency next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit.
On the sidelines of the summit, Xi Jinping also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Chinese state media, Xi said China views relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective and that the two countries can achieve common development by benefiting from each other's capabilities and experience.
The visit marks Xi's first trip to India since 2019 and is being viewed as an effort to improve diplomatic relations between the two Asian powers.
China and India have historically had strained relations. The two countries fought a brief war in 1962, while a border clash in 2020 left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.
The two sides have gradually improved relations in recent years, particularly after Modi's visit to China last year. However, analysts say there are still no clear signs of an immediate improvement in trade ties.
Chinese Foreign Ministry said China is ready to work with India to strengthen communication, expand cooperation and properly manage differences.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
Pezeshkian expressed concern over US and Israeli military actions, saying increasing pressure on Iran has entered an extremely sensitive and dangerous phase.
Leaders and representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are also attending the summit.
Experts say the Gulf conflict is expected to be one of the key points of disagreement at this year's BRICS summit, with differences among member states over various global conflicts presenting a major challenge for the expanded group.
