BRICS must reject ‘occupation, settler colonialism,’ and ‘settler terrorism’: Malaysian premier

BRICS must reject “occupation, settler colonialism,” and “settler terrorism,” as Israel’s “aggression” in the Middle East has affected “far beyond” those directly involved, the Malaysian prime minister told the bloc’s annual summit in New Delhi on Sunday.

“BRICS must say plainly and unequivocally that occupation, settler colonialism and, more pointedly, ‘settler terrorism’ cannot become destiny, and that no life weighs less for where it is lived,” Anwar Ibrahim said, according to a statement on the US social media platform Facebook.

“We cannot speak of inclusive growth and prosperity while war drives energy prices higher and threatens the sea lanes on which our economies depend,” he said.

Anwar said Israel’s “aggression” in the Middle East has affected “far beyond” those directly involved, driving up inflation and uncertainty.

The US and Israel launched a war on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to fire missiles and drones at Israel and regional countries hosting US assets.

Iran also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to navigation, causing widespread disruption to global energy and trade flows.

Anwar explained Kuala Lumpur’s position as respecting sovereignty, protecting civilians, and keeping global economic arteries out of the battlefield.

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He also warned that while technology is advancing rapidly, economic gains remain out of reach for much of the developing world, with many countries facing debt distress or at serious risk of it.

Speaking at an open session titled “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth,” he said BRICS’ combined market strength offers opportunities to diversify trade and reduce reliance on traditional Western markets.

BRICS must “act jointly through concrete measures to dismantle unfair trading practices, share our development experience and strengthen technical cooperation and training in emerging fields, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI),” he said.

He said financing must meet basic needs without leaving countries with unsustainable debt, highlighting the need to advance initiatives through the New Development Bank, local-currency settlements, and Islamic capital markets.

The green transition must reflect countries’ differing circumstances, development stages, and pace, Anwar added.

The expanded 11-member BRICS grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Vietnam, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, joined BRICS as partner countries in 2025.

On Saturday, the bloc adopted the New Delhi Declaration, pledging to deepen cooperation with emerging markets, developing countries, and BRICS partner nations.

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