Iran President Pezeshkian said to attend BRICS summit in Delhi

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to New Delhi to attend the BRICS summit in September, Iranian sources told news agency ANI, adding to the list of senior leaders, imcluding Russian President Vladimir Putin, expected at the gathering hosted by India.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 as the grouping's chair for 2026. The summit is expected to bring together leaders of major BRICS members, including China, Russia and Iran.

The Iranian president's participation comes at a time when New Delhi's engagement with Tehran has gained added importance amid continuing tensions in West Asia.

Pezeshkian's India visit

Pezeshkian's expected visit comes as India and Iran maintain close diplomatic contact amid heightened tensions in West Asia.

Pezeshkian last met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Iran became a full BRICS member in 2024 along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Iran has since sought a more active role for BRICS in addressing conflicts in the region. At the 2024 BRICS summit, Pezeshkian had urged BRICS countries to use their influence to help end conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Jaishankar, Araghchi in touch

The expected visit also comes after repeated engagement between India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Jaishankar and Araghchi have held several conversations in recent months as the situation in West Asia deteriorated. In March, Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart and discussed bilateral matters and BRICS-related issues.

The two ministers have also remained in contact amid the regional conflict, with their discussions covering the situation in West Asia and its implications for bilateral ties.

Araghchi travelled to New Delhi in May for the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting. The gathering was held against the backdrop of the escalating West Asia crisis, with Iran seeking a stronger collective position from the grouping.

Iran seeks stronger BRICS position

Iran has been pushing BRICS to take a stronger position on the West Asia conflict.

Economic Times reported ahead of the May foreign ministers' meeting that both Araghchi and Pezeshkian had urged India to help build consensus within BRICS for a joint statement on the conflict.

However, differences among member countries have complicated efforts to reach a common position. Iran and the UAE have held different positions on the conflict, while an earlier meeting of BRICS special envoys ended with a Chair's statement instead of a joint declaration.

India has maintained a diplomatic approach to the crisis while continuing its engagement with Iran and other countries in the region.

Putin among leaders expected at summit

Pezeshkian will join other senior leaders expected at the New Delhi gathering, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India's 2026 BRICS chairmanship is centred on the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The September summit is expected to focus on global economic and political challenges as well as cooperation among the expanded BRICS membership.