BRICS leaders ‘strongly deplore’ nuke test

BEIJING: The five-nation BRICS grouping said yesterday it “strongly deplores” North Korea’s latest nuclear test, adding to global condemnation of Pyongyang.

“We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK,” BRICS said in a joint statement from its annual summit, using the acronym of North Korea’s official name.

BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and summit host China – North Korea’s longtime patron.

“We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula,” said the declaration from the summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen.

It added that BRICS believes the issue “should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned”.

BRICS had gathered in Xiamen hoping to counter accusations that the group of big emerging economies was drifting apart and becoming irrelevant.

The nuclear test came just before Chinese President Xi Jinping took the stage for a pre-BRICS address in Xiamen, a timing that seemed deliberate and no doubt angered Beijing, which swiftly condemned the explosion.

The summit attendees include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Brazil’s Michel Temer and South Africa’s Jacob Zuma.

BRICS is already struggling to live down doubts about its own cohesion that have spiked since nuclear-armed China and India engaged in a protracted standoff over a disputed Himalayan region.

They backed off last week – perhaps to avoid ruining the summit – but the issue remains tense and eyes will be on the interplay between Modi and Xi as the meeting continues.

In his speech on Sunday, Xi stressed the need for BRICS members to show mutual respect and “avoid conflicts” but otherwise did not mention the border dispute.

The BRICS nations, which comprise more than 40% of humanity, came together a decade ago to advocate for the developing world’s interests. – AFP