The BRICS Summit 2026 held in Delhi has become a significant stage for India to demonstrate its diplomatic prowess and strategic autonomy. Amidst the ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully managed a delicate balancing act, engaging simultaneously with Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia. While these three nations may not share the same perspective on the current regional struggles, India continues to maintain strong dialogues with all of them, proving the strength of its 'Balanced Diplomacy'.
Frequent High-Level Engagements with Iran
A notable highlight of the summit was the second meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian within a span of just 12 days. Their previous meeting took place on August 31 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and on September 11, President Pezeshkian arrived directly in Delhi. This visit marks Pezeshkian's first trip to India since becoming President and the first visit by an Iranian President to Delhi in 8 years, following Hassan Rouhani's visit in 2018. The frequency of these meetings sends a clear message that despite international pressures, particularly from the United States, India has not closed its channels of communication with Iran. Instead, it has reinforced its commitment to a foreign policy determined by its own national interests rather than external pressure.
Strategic Interests and Economic Vision
During the BRICS Business Forum, President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to India for standing by Iran during difficult times. India's diplomacy with Iran isn't merely about maintaining old ties; it's driven by critical strategic needs. With tensions rising in the Strait of Hormuz, India requires secure trade routes. While India talks to Iran, it simultaneously strengthens its bonds with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Israel, while this multi-aligned approach ensures that India's decisions remain focused on its own benefits, regardless of which side the pressure comes from. President Pezeshkian emphasized that the goal of BRICS is to counter unilateralism, with the summit's themes being freedom, solidarity, strength, resistance, and innovation.
The Shift in Global Economic Order
President Pezeshkian highlighted that the world is passing through its most complex phase, where economic tools are increasingly used for political pressure, complicating the global supply chain. He pointed out that economic resilience can't be achieved without diversifying payment systems. Mentioning the BRICS Bank, he expressed hope for investments from member countries to reduce dependence on the US Dollar, thereby limiting what he termed as the arbitrary influence of the United States through its currency. For India, the meeting with Pezeshkian is about more than bilateral ties; it's about navigating a changing global economic landscape. While India protects its strategic and economic interests with Iran, it also values the UAE and Saudi Arabia as major trade, investment, and energy partners.
Chabahar and the INSTC: Bypassing Pakistan
A major focus of the discussions between PM Modi and President Pezeshkian is the connectivity route that links India directly to the European market. By bypassing Pakistan, India is developing a direct trade route to Russia and Europe via the Chabahar Port, while the route begins at the Shahid Beheshti Terminal in Chabahar, reachable by sea from Mumbai. From Chabahar, various road networks will provide access to landlocked Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The route then proceeds to Iran's Bandar-e-Anzali on the Caspian Sea, followed by a maritime link to Russia. After crossing the Caspian Sea, the route reaches Astrakhan in Russia and continues via rail and road to major cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. This 7,200 kilometer International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal network that eventually connects to Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This route allows India to bypass the traditional path through Pakistan and the Suez Canal, reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Estimates suggest that the INSTC could reduce the distance to Europe by 40 percent and cut transport costs by 30 percent.
Long-term Agreements and Regional Competition
In May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement for the operation of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal. India has approved an investment of 120 million dollars and a credit line of 250 million dollars for this project. The challenge now lies in ensuring that these investments remain secure and cargo movement continues despite wars and sanctions. Also, Iran is keen to supply more crude oil and LPG to India, which could provide a source of cheaper energy, though international sanctions remain a hurdle. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct threat to India's energy security, making the Chabahar route a vital alternative. India's model at Chabahar is often compared to the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, which is part of China's CPEC network. While Gwadar connects the Arabian Sea to China through Pakistan, Chabahar opens doors for India to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe. Unlike the CPEC project, which has faced delays due to unrest in Balochistan, the Shahid Beheshti Terminal is currently being operated by an Indian company even during times of conflict.
Conclusion: India's Interest-First Policy
India's diplomacy isn't limited to Iran. It's a sophisticated web of relationships involving strategic interests with Iran, trade and energy ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and strategic partnerships with the US and Israel. Delhi's focus remains on ceasefire, civilian safety, international law, and de-escalation through dialogue. This strategy is directly linked to India's economy and security. The message from the BRICS Summit is clear: India will maintain relations with all parties, but its decisions will always be guided by its own national interests.