he Brics New Delhi Declaration had strong messaging for the situation in West Asia, especially the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine. In the statement, released on Saturday, the 11-member body unanimously expressed "deep concerns" over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia, calling for maximum restraint.

Meanwhile, it supported the ceasefire in Gaza and called for an end to the Israeli violence in the coastal enclave. The declaration also reaffirmed the grouping's support for a lasting two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict "We reaffirm that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return," the declaration read.

The Brics called for adequate representation of Palestine in relevant international organisations, including multilateral financial institutions, and access to their resources. The group went on to reaffirm support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, linking the position to its commitment to a two-state solution and international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

In his remarks to Firstpost, Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh welcomed the declaration, lauding the Indian presidency of the summit for maintaining a strong consensus on Palestinian rights and international law.

'Important and welcome position'

When asked about the New Delhi Declaration's strong opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians and any form of demographic or geographic changes to the territory of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian envoy called it a "welcoming position."

"There are many positive elements in the New Delhi Declaration regarding the Palestinian question. It reiterates the importance of international law, calls for full and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza, reaffirms the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and return, supports the State of Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, and reaffirms support for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital," the Palestinian envoy said.

"The declaration also firmly rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians and any geographic or demographic changes to the Gaza Strip, reiterates its steadfast support for UNRWA, and, importantly, recognises the need to end the illegal occupation."

"These are important and welcome positions, and they reaffirm fundamental principles concerning the rights of the Palestinian people and the application of international law," he told Firstpost.