NEW DELHI: Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, amid the elevated tensions in West Asia, is set to visit New Delhi to attend the upcoming BRICS summit, Iranian sources told news agency ANI.Pezeshkian’s participation in the summit is scheduled to be held in the national capital in September.The visit assumes significance as India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship. The summit will be held under India’s theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. India assumed the BRICS chairship from Brazil at the beginning of 2026.Iran has signalled that it sees India as a potential partner in efforts to ease tensions in West Asia, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying New Delhi could play a greater role in de-escalating the ongoing crisis.Araghchi made the remarks during his visit to India in June for the BRICS foreign ministers’ Meeting. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said Tehran did not see a military solution to the conflict and believed that negotiations offered the only viable way forward.“We will welcome any constructive role by India,” Araghchi said, signalling Iran’s openness to an Indian role in diplomatic efforts.His comments came as fighting and tensions continue to shape the security situation in West Asia following the outbreak of conflict on February 28 between Iran and the combined forces of the United States and Israel.India’s relationship with Iran has also been marked by regular high-level engagement. In October 2024, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties as well as developments in the region.Iran became a full member of BRICS in 2024, joining Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates as part of the group’s expansion. Indonesia became a full member in 2025, taking the total number of members to 11.During his latest visit, Araghchi also met external affairs minister S Jaishankar to discuss regional developments and Iran’s position on security around the Strait of Hormuz.Araghchi said Iran would continue to fulfil what he described as its historical responsibility for security in the strategically important waterway. He also sought to reassure countries that maintain friendly relations with Tehran about the safety of their commercial activity.“In fruitful engagement with my host external affairs minister S Jaishankar, discussed regional developments and clarified that Iran will always carry out historical duty as protector of security in Hormuz. Iran is a reliable partner of all friendly nations, who can rely on safety of commerce.”
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The Iranian government also highlighted Araghchi’s intervention at the BRICS meeting, where he spoke about reducing Western dominance and preventing political considerations from influencing international institutions.“FM Seyyed Abbas Araghchi delivers Iran’s statement at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in India. He highlighted the importance of breaking Western hegemony and ensuring that international institutions remain free from political manipulation.”The statements come at a time when West Asia remains caught in a fragile stalemate, with tensions continuing to simmer amid the wider conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. For India, Tehran’s invitation for a constructive role adds another dimension to its diplomatic engagement with both Iran and the wider region.
