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Leaders of the BRICS in Rio defend the multilateralism against attacks

Lula draws parallels with the Non-Aligned Movement of Cold War

Group condemns attacks against Iran and Gaza, increasing tariffs

Xi Jinping skips, Putin online, Modi and Ramaphosa present

By Lisandra Paraguassu and Manuela Andreoni

RIO DE JANEIRO - On Sunday, the BRICS leaders condemned the attacks in Gaza, Kashmir and Iran during their summit. They portrayed the group as a defender for multilateral diplomacy, while criticizing the U.S. trade and military policy.

The expansion of BRICS is a response to the divisions in the G7 and G20 group of major economies and the "America First" policy of U.S. president Donald Trump.

In his opening remarks, Brazilian President Luiz inacio Lula da silva drew an analogy with the Non-Aligned Movement of the Cold War, a grouping of developing countries that refused to join either side of the polarized world order.

Lula said to leaders that "BRICS was the heir of the Non-Aligned Movement." "Multilateralism is under attack and our autonomy has been weakened once more."

Lula warned business leaders on Saturday of the rise of protectionism by pointing out that BRICS countries now account for more than half of the world's total population and 40% its economic output.

In 2009, the first BRICS summit brought together leaders from Brazil and India, as well as China. In 2009, the bloc was expanded to include South Africa, and in 2012, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Indonesia is the first country to be included in this summit.

The BRICS fill the vacuum that others leave almost immediately, said a Brazilian who requested anonymity. The diplomat said that although the G7 still has a lot of power, it doesn't hold the same dominance as before.

There are still questions regarding the goals shared by a BRICS group that has become more heterogeneous, as it now includes regional rivals and major emerging economies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his Prime Minister in his place to steal some thunder at this year's Summit. Due to an international criminal court arrest warrant, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be attending the summit online.

But on Sunday and Monday, several heads of states, including Indian PM Narendra Modi, and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, gathered at Rio's Museum of Modern Art for discussions.

Over 30 countries have expressed an interest in joining the BRICS either as full members, or partners.

GROWING COMPLEXITY AND CLOUT

The expansion of the BRICS group has given it more diplomatic weight. It aims to represent developing nations in the Global South and strengthens calls for reforming institutions like the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, etc.

Lula's remarks highlighted the failures of U.S. led wars in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon the leaders condemned the military attacks against Iran’s “civil infrastructure and peaceful nuclear installations under the full safeguards provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency."

The group expressed its "grave concern" over Israeli attacks in Gaza and condemned what it called "a terrorist attack" on Indian-administrated Kashmir.

The joint statement on trade warned that the "indiscriminate rise in tariffs" threatened global trade. This continued the group's veiled critique of Trump's U.S. Tariff policies.

The group expressed its support for Ethiopian and Iranian to join the World Trade Organization while calling to restore urgently its ability to settle trade disputes.

As first reported last week, the leaders' statement backed plans for a pilot BRICS Multilateral Guarantees Initiative within the group's New Development Bank in order to lower financing costs while boosting investment in member countries.

Brazil, which is also hosting the United Nations Climate Summit in November, has used both events to show how serious developing nations are about tackling climate changes, while Trump has put the brakes on U.S. initiatives.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions regarding funding the conservation of endangered forest around the globe, China and the UAE indicated in their meetings with Brazilian Finance minister Fernando Haddad that they intend to invest in the proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility. (Reporting and editing by Lisandra Andreoni and Manuela Paraguassu; Will Dunham, Bill Berkrot, David Gregorio and Brad Haynes)

(source: Reuters)