Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday for bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and focused on regional stability, maritime safety and strengthening India-Iran ties.

Pezeshkian arrived in India to attend the BRICS Summit and held discussions with PM Modi for the second time in less than two weeks. Modi had earlier met the Iranian president on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

During Friday’s meeting, PM Modi highlighted India’s concerns over the continuing crisis in West Asia. He stressed that the safety and security of seafarers remains a top priority for India.

India also reiterated its position that a lasting solution to the regional crisis must come through dialogue and diplomacy. Energy security was another key concern, with India emphasising the need for safe passage for vessels carrying supplies.

The talks took place against the backdrop of the wider Middle East crisis, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has raised concerns over energy security and maritime trade. 

Pezeshkian calls for greater BRICS economic resilience

Earlier on Friday, Pezeshkian addressed the BRICS Business Forum and called for greater economic cooperation among member countries.

He said BRICS should focus on strengthening its economic resilience and advocated the use of national currencies for trade among member countries. The Iranian president also argued that the grouping should work toward reducing dependence on the US dollar.

Pezeshkian criticised US sanctions and military actions, saying BRICS should create conditions where legitimate trade cannot be disrupted by the monopolisation of financial instruments.

Modi and Pezeshkian had met in Bishkek

PM Modi and Pezeshkian had last met on August 31 in Bishkek. During that meeting, Modi said India wanted to strengthen its longstanding friendship with Iran and expand and diversify bilateral trade.

The two leaders also discussed developments in the West Asia conflict. Modi reiterated India’s position that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy and stressed the importance of protecting civilians, commercial shipping and seafarers.

During the earlier meeting, Pezeshkian had sought India’s diplomatic support in encouraging the conflicting sides to move away from violence and return to negotiations.

The latest Modi-Pezeshkian talks come as India hosts the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the regional crisis and its impact on the global economy forming an important backdrop to the high-level discussions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a car ride in New Delhi on Friday after holding bilateral talks, marking their fourth joint journey by car.

The two leaders travelled together in a limousine to the INNOPROM exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, where the 11-member BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place. Their joint ride came a day before the summit.

Modi and Putin’s fourth joint car ride

PM Modi and President Putin have shared a car on three previous occasions. Their first such ride took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China last year.

The two leaders also met earlier this month at an SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. Putin’s most recent visit to India before the current trip was in December 2025.

Their latest joint journey followed a bilateral meeting in which the two leaders discussed several areas of the India-Russia relationship.

India-Russia talks cover trade, energy and defence

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and Putin held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

The talks covered cooperation in areas including trade, energy, defence, space and people-to-people ties. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.

PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward for resolving conflicts and said India is ready to assist in peace efforts, according to the Ministry.

Modi gifts Putin Russian translation of Thirukkural

During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi presented Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work associated with the poet and saint Thiruvalluvar.

Modi said the translation of the ancient text into Russian could help strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Russia.

The joint car ride added another notable moment to the two leaders’ interactions ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed the importance of secure maritime routes and the safety of seafarers while addressing the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi.

Speaking at the forum, which was also attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, PM Modi linked the growth of global trade with the need to keep sea lanes secure, supply routes open and seafarers safe.

PM Modi stresses freedom of navigation

PM Modi said that global trade can progress only when maritime routes remain secure and supply lines stay open. He also reaffirmed India’s support for freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers.

The remarks came against the backdrop of recent attacks on ships, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The strategically important waterway has been affected by the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.

The issue of maritime security is also significant for India because disruptions to shipping routes can affect trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.

PM Modi highlights BRICS economic growth

During his address, PM Modi also highlighted the expanding economic importance of the BRICS grouping.

He said BRICS countries now account for around 50 per cent of the world’s population, 40 per cent of global GDP and more than 25 per cent of global trade. According to the Prime Minister, the combined GDP of BRICS nations has expanded nearly four-and-a-half times, compared with global GDP growth of about two-and-a-half times.

PM Modi described BRICS countries as emerging centres for innovation and said the business forum being hosted by India was the largest BRICS Business Forum so far.

Focus on trade and business cooperation

The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s efforts to reduce trade barriers and expand opportunities for businesses.

He said India has entered into free trade agreements with 40 countries and highlighted new cooperation networks established under India’s BRICS presidency in areas including agriculture, healthcare, skills and smart grids.

PM Modi also referred to initiatives such as the BRICS Incubator Network, BRICS MSME Portal and BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, aimed at connecting startups and small businesses with markets and finance.

Iran highlights global economic uncertainty

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was present at the forum, spoke about the impact of geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions on the global economy.

He said geopolitical tensions and the use of economic measures as political instruments had made the environment for countries and businesses more complicated. Pezeshkian argued that BRICS should turn its economic potential into practical cooperation in trade, investment and joint financing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke about major structural changes taking place in the global economy, saying new engines of growth were emerging.

PM Modi separately held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. During his meeting with Putin, Modi said dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for resolving conflicts.