Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, reports on Monday suggested that Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is likely to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for May 14–15. The visit would mark Araghchi’s first trip to India since the outbreak of the current conflict, which has intensified regional tensions and triggered renewed international diplomatic efforts. However, Tehran has not officially confirmed his participation in the New Delhi meeting.
India is hosting the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as part of its current presidency of the bloc. Expanded in 2024, BRICS now includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Ethiopia alongside founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, strengthening its role as a major platform for the Global South on economic and geopolitical issues.
However, India’s BRICS presidency has been shaped by growing challenges linked to the West Asia conflict. The grouping has so far failed to issue a joint statement on the crisis due to internal differences among member nations, particularly after escalating tensions and Iranian retaliation earlier this year.
BRICS
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Ethiopia. The 2026 meeting is being hosted by India under its presidency and serves as a key platform for Global South cooperation on economic and geopolitical issues.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed his attendance, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to skip the event due to scheduling conflicts. India’s BRICS presidency has faced challenges amid West Asia tensions, with the group yet to issue a joint statement due to differences among member countries.
Iran has treated BRICS as a key diplomatic platform since joining the bloc and is pushing for a stronger role in easing the West Asia crisis under India’s presidency.
Iran reportedly urged India to help BRICS take a more active role in de-escalation efforts
Last month’s BRICS Middle East meeting failed to produce a joint statement
India is expected to host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi in September
Iranian, Emirati and Saudi officials are likely to meet face-to-face for the first time since the conflict began