Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left Tehran for New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Summit 2026. The summit is scheduled to begin in the national capital on September 12, with leaders of major emerging economies gathering to discuss economic cooperation and global affairs.
Pezeshkian is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. The meeting is likely to focus on India-Iran relations, trade, energy, connectivity and developments in West Asia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already arrived in New Delhi for the summit. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi ahead of the main BRICS meeting.
Pezeshkian calls for stronger BRICS cooperation
Before leaving Tehran, President Pezeshkian said BRICS should work together to counter unilateralism and promote cooperation among member countries.
He called for stronger economic, financial and trade ties within the grouping. The Iranian president also supported greater use of BRICS financial institutions and local currencies to reduce dependence on the US dollar.
Pezeshkian said Iran’s participation would provide an opportunity to discuss common interests with India, Russia, China, Brazil and other BRICS members. He described India and Iran as long-standing partners with potential for wider cooperation.
Key issues before Modi-Pezeshkian talks
The meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian may cover several important areas:
- Bilateral trade and investment.
- Energy cooperation.
- Connectivity and the Chabahar port project.
- Regional security and the West Asia crisis.
- Cooperation through BRICS and other multilateral organisations.
- Efforts to improve payment and trade mechanisms.
India has maintained relations with both Iran and other major BRICS members while following an independent foreign policy. New Delhi is expected to support greater cooperation among developing countries, but it is also likely to stress that BRICS should remain an inclusive platform rather than an anti-Western alliance.
India highlights economy and digital strength
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 presidency. New Delhi is expected to give priority to economic growth, manufacturing, digital technology, resilient supply chains and sustainable development.
India may also push for closer cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital payments, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and clean energy.
The country wants BRICS cooperation to deliver practical benefits, including higher trade, investment, job creation and stronger supply chains. Indian officials have also highlighted the country’s large consumer market, growing manufacturing capacity and role as a major supplier of medicines.
Putin and Xi Jinping also expected
President Putin’s visit has added importance to the summit. His talks with Prime Minister Modi are likely to include trade, defence, energy, technology and investment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in India on Saturday. His visit would be significant as it is expected to be his first trip to India in seven years. Modi and Xi are likely to discuss bilateral relations as well as cooperation within BRICS.
The summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. It is expected to bring together leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping and place India at the centre of discussions on global economic cooperation and the interests of the Global South.
