India has joined its BRICS partners in issuing a strong condemnation of the military strikes on Iran since June 13, calling the attacks a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The joint statement comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East following alleged strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory, including nuclear facilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Rio de Janeiro to attend the BRICS summit on July 5-6, where the situation is likely to be a key topic.

The BRICS statement expressed “grave concern” over the escalation and emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

“We express grave concern over the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 13 June 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East,” the statement said.

The group warned of unpredictable consequences for global peace, security, and the economy if the violence continues.

In a clear reference to the attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, the BRICS statement condemned any strikes on peaceful nuclear installations, stressing the need to uphold nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, especially during armed conflict.

“We express serious concern over any attacks against peaceful nuclear installations that are carried out in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm. In this context, we reiterate our support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges,” it said.

Civilian lives and infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law, it added, offering condolences to victims’ families and solidarity with affected civilians.

Reaffirming its commitment to international peace, the BRICS group called for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and urged the international community to uphold global law and contribute to peaceful dispute resolution.

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi responded with a statement thanking India’s “freedom-loving” citizens and institutions for standing by Tehran.

It extended gratitude to Indian political parties, parliamentarians, NGOs, religious leaders, academics, media personnel, and social activists who expressed solidarity during the recent attacks.

According to the embassy, the Iranian people’s resilience was not only an act of national defense but also a stand against violations of international law and humanitarian norms.

“We firmly believe that the unity and solidarity of nations serve as a powerful bulwark against war, violence, and injustice,” the statement said, reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to upholding legal principles and resisting aggression.

This development follows a recent divergence by India from a similar condemnation issued by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which is currently chaired by China. On June 14, the SCO had strongly criticized Israel’s strikes, calling them a breach of Iranian sovereignty and a threat to global stability.

However, India distanced itself from that statement, saying it did not participate in the SCO’s discussions and reiterated its own position that dialogue and diplomacy should guide responses to the crisis.

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India’s stance, expressed earlier on June 13, remains unchanged. It emphasized the importance of using diplomatic channels to reduce tensions, noting that India had communicated this position to other SCO members.