Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi Arrives In New Delhi Ahead Of Key BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit Talks
Foreign ministers from BRICS nations, including Iran and Russia, will meet in India on Thursday to discuss the Middle East conflict and the associated fuel crisis.
India, which holds the BRICS chairmanship this year, is hosting a two-day meeting of the major bloc’s foreign ministers. The gathering now also includes Iran and the United Arab Emirates—two nations currently at odds with each other over the dispute involving the U.S. and Israel, which began on February 28.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the discussions would focus on “global and regional issues of mutual interest,” spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.
The Iranian Embassy in India confirmed that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday night.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also participating in the event. Upon arriving in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, he met with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
In a statement, Jaishankar noted that their discussions covered “trade and investment, energy, and connectivity,” as well as “global and multilateral issues.”
“In an uncertain and volatile global environment, our political cooperation is all the more valuable,” Jaishankar said.
Disruptions surrounding Gulf shipping routes and the Strait of Hormuz continue to fuel volatility in oil and gas markets, placing increasing pressure on energy-importing economies—including India.
The conflict involving Iran has intensified pressure on India’s economy—which relies heavily on energy supplies and fertilizer imports from the Middle East—and has also cast doubt on New Delhi’s growth outlook.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking to exert greater influence within institutions dominated by Western powers.
The group initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa; however, it has since expanded as members seek to enhance the bloc’s global political and economic clout. It now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, although it remains unclear whether representatives from all member nations will attend.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India will host a Leaders’ Summit later this year, and the Foreign Minister will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Given the deep divisions among some members—including over the conflict in the Middle East and criticism of Western powers—it was unclear whether a joint statement would be issued at the conclusion of the meeting. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “We will keep you updated as things unfold.”
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