BRICS NSAs Meet in Delhi: Where Rivals Park Differences Outside the Conference Room"

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, and Iranian Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Nezamipour will travel to New Delhi for the meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers (NSAs) on June 22-23, an important gathering that will help shape the agenda for the BRICS Leaders' Summit scheduled to be held in India this September. The high-level meeting comes as India holds the rotating presidency of the expanded BRICS grouping this year. The discussions are expected to focus on regional and global security challenges, counter-terrorism, geopolitical developments, cybersecurity, and strengthening cooperation among member nations. India Chairs BRICS in 2026 India assumed the BRICS presidency this year and has been hosting a series of ministerial and senior officials' meetings in preparation for the annual leaders' summit. Following its recent expansion, BRICS now comprises 11 member countries: Brazil China Egypt Ethiopia India Indonesia Iran Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa United Arab Emirates The enlarged grouping represents a significant share of the world's population, economic output, and energy resources, increasing its influence on global political and economic discussions. High-Level Security Meeting The National Security Advisers' meeting is expected to serve as one of the most important preparatory events before the September summit. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will host the two-day discussions, bringing together senior security officials from BRICS member countries to deliberate on shared security concerns and strategic priorities. Officials are expected to exchange views on terrorism, transnational crime, cyber threats, regional conflicts, maritime security, intelligence cooperation, and the evolving global security environment. Wang Yi Expected to Hold Bilateral Talks Apart from attending the BRICS meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to hold bilateral discussions with NSA Ajit Doval. Wang also serves as China's Special Representative on the India-China boundary issue, making his discussions with Doval particularly significant. The two officials are likely to review developments in bilateral relations, including progress on border management mechanisms and broader regional issues. The meeting will be closely watched as both countries continue efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement despite longstanding differences over the boundary question. Russia and Iran to Participate Russia will be represented by Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, one of Moscow's senior security officials, while Iran's delegation will be led by Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Nezamipour. Their participation reflects the growing strategic importance of BRICS as a platform for political and security dialogue among emerging economies. The presence of senior representatives from China, Russia, Iran, and other member countries is expected to give momentum to discussions ahead of the leaders' summit later this year. Preparing for the September Summit The NSA meeting is intended to build consensus on major strategic issues before they are taken up by BRICS leaders during the September summit in India. Recommendations emerging from the discussions could contribute to the summit's agenda, covering subjects such as global governance reforms, international security, economic cooperation, development financing, technology partnerships, and strengthening multilateral institutions. India has consistently advocated greater cooperation among developing economies while emphasizing dialogue, mutual respect, and reforms of global institutions to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Importance of the Meeting As global geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting provides member countries with an opportunity to exchange perspectives on common challenges and explore areas of cooperation. With India hosting both the preparatory meetings and the leaders' summit, New Delhi is expected to play a central role in shaping discussions within the bloc over the coming months. The June 22-23 meeting is likely to set the tone for the BRICS Summit in September, where leaders are expected to deliberate on security, economic cooperation, sustainable development, and the future direction of one of the world's fastest-growing multilateral groupings.