Members of the 11-nation Brics group, including China, Russia, Iran and India, have called for calm in the Middle East, in a joint statement issued at a summit in New Delhi, AFP reports.

“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” said the statement.

Foreign ministers of the Brics grouping failed to agree on a joint statement when they met in New Delhi in May, with member states Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE divided over the war.

But a statement was issued at the leaders’ meeting today after intense diplomatic efforts by host India.