Tehran to Delhi, Pezeshkian Lands in India, Modi Meeting on the Diplomatic Menu

New Delhi, September 11, 2026- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit, with his visit coming at a time of significant disruption to global energy and agricultural supply chains caused by conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine. Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Friday for bilateral talks. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral relations as well as wider regional and economic developments affecting both countries. His arrival comes along side that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reached New Delhi early Friday ahead of the two day BRICS Summit beginning September 12. Putin visit marks his first in person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Modi shortly after his arrival, with defence cooperation and other areas of strategic partnership likely to feature in the talks. The gathering comes as BRICS seeks to strengthen economic cooperation among its members amid an increasingly unsettled global economic environment. Disruptions to energy markets, food supplies and international trade have added pressure on emerging economies to deepen cooperation and improve the resilience of supply chains. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised India’s expanding economic capabilities and its potential role in shaping the next phase of BRICS cooperation. Jaishankar highlighted India large and growing market, expanding manufacturing base, deep pool of skilled talent and rapidly developing digital and innovation ecosystem. He argued that the combination of these strengths gives India an important role to play in strengthening economic cooperation within the grouping. With leaders from major emerging economies gathering in New Delhi, the summit is expected to place particular emphasis on trade, investment, technology, energy security and economic resilience. The bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit could also offer India an opportunity to advance its strategic interests with key partners while navigating a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. For India, the BRICS gathering comes at a crucial moment as global conflicts continue to reshape trade routes, energy markets and food security. The meetings between Modi and visiting leaders such as Pezeshkian and Putin will therefore be closely watched for both their bilateral outcomes and their wider geopolitical significance.