Two-State Solution reaffirmed by BRICS

BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026 and the Two-State Solution. Read here to learn about it.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi in May 2026 reaffirmed support for an independent Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. India also reiterated its long-standing support for a Two-State Solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

However, internal divisions within BRICS, especially between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, prevented the adoption of a unified declaration, resulting instead in a Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document.

Key Highlights of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026

1. Support for Palestinian Statehood

BRICS reaffirmed support for:

• A sovereign Palestinian State
• Based on pre-1967 borders
• With East Jerusalem as its capital

The grouping reiterated support for:

• UN Security Council resolutions
• International law
• The Arab Peace Initiative

2. Position on Gaza

• The meeting described the Gaza Strip as an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territory.
• It called for the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
• However, Iran and the UAE disagreed over wording related to governance and transition.

3. Maritime Security Concerns

Members discussed:

• Strait of Hormuz
• Red Sea
• Bab-el-Mandeb Strait

These waterways are critical for:

• Energy trade
• Global shipping
• India’s oil security

4. India-Iran Strategic Connectivity

Iran promoted:

• Chabahar Port

as India’s gateway to:

• Central Asia
• Caucasus
• Europe

This bypasses:

• Pakistan
• Traditional maritime chokepoints

5. Indi-Russia Cooperation

Russia assured India regarding:

• Stable energy supplies
• Cooperation on:
  • Nuclear energy
  • Transport corridors
  • Trade settlements in national currencies

What is the Two-State Solution?

The Two-State Solution proposes:

• An independent State of Israel
• An independent State of Palestine

living side by side peacefully.

Historical Background

1947 UN Partition Plan

The United Nations proposed dividing Mandatory Palestine into:

• Jewish State
• Arab State
• International administration for Jerusalem

1967 Six-Day War

Israel captured:

• West Bank
• Gaza Strip
• East Jerusalem
• Golan Heights

These territories remain central to the conflict.

Oslo Accords (1993)

Palestine Liberation Organisation and Israel:

• Mutually recognised each other
• Created the Palestinian Authority

The accords were intended as a pathway toward a final peace settlement.

Core Issues in the Two-State Solution

Borders

Most proposals support:

• Pre-1967 boundaries (Green Line)
• Possible land swaps

Jerusalem

Both Israelis and Palestinians claim:

• Jerusalem as their capital.

Typical proposals suggest:

• West Jerusalem- Israel
• East Jerusalem- Palestine

Palestinian Refugees

A major issue involves:

• Right of return
• Compensation
• Rehabilitation of displaced Palestinians

Security

Israel seeks:

• Security guarantees
• Prevention of militant attacks

Palestinians seek:

• Sovereignty without military occupation

India’s Position on Israel-Palestine

Historically Pro-Palestine

India:

• Recognised the PLO in 1974
• Recognised Palestine in 1988

Relations with Israel

India established full diplomatic ties with:

• Israel in 1992.

Today, Israel is an important partner in:

• Defense
• Agriculture
• Technology
• Intelligence cooperation

De-hyphenation Policy

India now follows a “de-hyphenation” approach:

• Maintains independent relations with both Israel and Palestine.
• Does not allow one relationship to dictate the other.

Current Indian Stand

India:

• Condemned Hamas attacks of October 2023
• Supported counter-terrorism efforts
• Sent humanitarian aid to Gaza
• Continues supporting a negotiated Two-State Solution

Geography of the Israel-Palestine Region

Israel

Borders:

• Lebanon
• Syria
• Jordan
• Egypt

West Bank

A landlocked Palestinian territory bordering:

• Israel
• Jordan

Gaza Strip

A narrow coastal enclave bordering:

• Israel
• Egypt
• Mediterranean Sea

Strategically Important Regions

Golan Heights

• Captured by Israel from Syria in 1967
• Strategic military importance

Sinai Peninsula

• Belongs to Egypt
• Returned by Israel after the Camp David Accords.

Important Water Bodies

• Mediterranean Sea: Critical for trade and Naval access
• Jordan River: Forms natural boundaries in the region.
• Dead Sea: The lowest land elevation point on Earth.
• Gulf of Aqaba: Provides Israel access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean

Why the BRICS Meeting Matters

The 2026 BRICS meeting reflects:

• Growing Global South engagement in West Asian diplomacy
• Rising importance of multipolar negotiations
• Strategic balancing by India between:
  • Israel
  • Palestine
  • Iran
  • Gulf countries
  • Western powers

It also highlights the internal contradictions within BRICS, where geopolitical rivalries among members increasingly complicate consensus-building.

Significance of the Two-State Solution

The solution aims to:

• End decades of conflict
• Ensure security for Israelis
• Provide statehood and dignity for Palestinians
• Stabilise West Asia
• Reduce global geopolitical tensions

It remains the most widely supported international framework for resolving the Israel–Palestine conflict.