Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to undertake a significant diplomatic visit to India next month. According to Iranian sources, Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to New Delhi to participate in the upcoming BRICS summit, while this visit is viewed as a major step in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Tehran and New Delhi, especially within the framework of the BRICS alliance. Iran officially became a full member of BRICS in 2024, joining alongside other nations such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The inclusion of Iran into this influential group of emerging economies has opened new avenues for cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, and regional security.
Significance of the New Delhi Summit
The participation of President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled for the summit to be held in New Delhi in September. This visit holds particular importance as India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS summit in 2026 under its presidency. The upcoming engagements are part of a broader roadmap where India has taken over the BRICS presidency from Brazil in early 2026. The summit in India will be organized around the central theme of building for resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The presence of the Iranian President at this juncture underscores the growing synergy between the two nations and their shared commitment to a multipolar world order.
Iran's Journey in BRICS
Iran's integration into BRICS has been a phased and strategic process. After becoming a full member in 2024, the group saw further expansion when Indonesia joined the collective in 2025. This expansion has brought the total number of full members to 11, making BRICS a formidable force in global geopolitics and economics. Prior to this upcoming visit, President Pezeshkian had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2024 during the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia. During that meeting, both leaders engaged in extensive discussions regarding bilateral relations and various regional issues, laying the groundwork for the current level of diplomatic engagement.
Diplomatic Groundwork by Foreign Minister Araghchi
The path for the President's visit was further paved by the earlier visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to India in June. Araghchi attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting and held a press conference in the capital. During his address, Araghchi emphasized the rising influence of New Delhi as a nation capable of bringing peace to the world, while he specifically noted that India could play a major role in de-escalating the tense situation in West Asia. Araghchi made it clear that Tehran doesn't see a future in armed conflict and stressed that there is no military solution to the current crises, while he advocated for a solution through dialogue as the only practical way forward.
Cooperation on Regional Security and Trade
During his visit, Araghchi also held high-level talks with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Expressing Tehran's positive outlook toward Indian mediation, Araghchi stated that Iran would welcome any constructive role played by India. He assured that friendly nations could rely on Iran for trade security, while On top of that, Araghchi clarified that Iran would always fulfill its historical responsibility as the guardian of security in the Strait of Hormuz. These discussions highlight the strategic depth of the India-Iran relationship, focusing on maritime safety and the secure flow of international trade, which are vital for the stability of the global economy.