Syrian conflict not on BRICS agenda

The Syrian conflict did not figure at the meeting of the five-nation BRICS bloc today even as the rift over the divisive issue threatened to overshadow a summit of the Group of 20 developed and developing economies.
There was speculation that the Syrian issue over which Russia, the G20 host and one of the key BRICS members, has stoutly opposed any military intervention, might come up at the informal meeting of the five big emerging economies.
Briefing newsmen after the informal meeting of BRICS on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said the Syrian issue was not on the agenda of BRICS leaders that included Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Replying to a volley of questions on the BRICS stand on the Syrian issue, she said the focus of the meeting was the current challenges before the world economy and that it was not on the agenda.
Sujata Singh said the situation in West Asia and its possible effects on oil prices were mentioned in passing at the BRICS meeting.
Ahead of the summit, China warned that military intervention in Syria would hurt the world economy and push up oil prices, reinforcing Putin's attempts to convince US President Barack Obama against carrying out of air strikes against Syria.

The rift over possible military intervention in Syria could overshadow the ongoing summit which wants to push for a united front on growth, trade, banking transparency and fighting tax evasion.

The turmoil in emerging economies and the US Federal Reserve's decision to end its programme of stimulus for the American economy are also expected to figure at the two-day deliberations.
"Military action would have a negative impact on the global economy, especially on the oil price - it will cause a hike in the oil price," Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao was quoted as having said before the start of the G20 leaders' talks.
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated that any party resorting to chemical warfare should accept responsibility for it but said unilateral military actions violate international law and would complicate the conflict.