Discussions on Draft Joint Declaration at BRICS Summit showing sharp divide

On the eve of the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on July 6 and 7, the ongoing discussions among the senior officials of the member countries for the preparation of the draft joint declaration from the Summit, are showing big divergence of views on the two major issues Trump's tariff war and the Israeli role in the latest war in West Asia.

- BY NITYA CHAKRABORTY

Right now, the tariff issue is the most important one of the majority of the BRICS members including India. The host country Brazil is interested in using strong words in the draft against President Trump's unilateral decision on reciprocal tariffs. The 90 day pause announced by the US President expires on July 9. Already, the US administration has started issuing letters to the trade partner countries who have till now not negotiated the deals. The BRICS declaration to be issued on July 7 will take into account the latest position after the issuing of letters and make its position clear in the draft decrying the unilateralism of the USA.

Presently BRICS has eleven full members the first five China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa and the new six Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Brazilian President Inacio de Silva Lula, better known as Lula is taking the leading role in the shaping of the declaration along with South Africa and other members. Indian officials are keen that a special mention is made of the threat of terror to India from Pakistan in the declaration in the context of the BRICS nations fight against terrorism. It is to be seen to what extent Prime Minister Narendra Modi can reshape the draft declaration and make it tuned to India’s stand on terrorism and Pakistan.