Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held bilateral talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the evolving situation in West Asia and its broader global impact.
In a post on X after the meeting, Jaishankar said he had a “detailed conversation” with his Iranian counterpart during the morning interaction in the national capital.
“I had a detailed conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi this morning in Delhi,” Jaishankar said.
He added that the two leaders reviewed the situation in West Asia and discussed its repercussions, as well as bilateral issues of concern to the two countries.
The statement added, “They discussed the situation in West Asia and its repercussions. They also exchanged views on bilateral issues of common interest.” Jaishankar also welcomed Araghchi’s participation in the BRICS gathering hosted by India.
“I appreciate his participation in BRICS India 2026,” he added.
Modi also met with the Iranian Foreign Minister
The Jaishankar-Araghchi meeting came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Iranian Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting.
This interaction is seen as part of efforts by both countries to maintain diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions and instability in West Asia.
India is hosting the two-day BRICS Ministerial Meeting on May 14-15 in New Delhi, which brings together key foreign ministers at a time when geopolitical tensions in the region continue to dominate global discussions.
Araqchi attacks “American bullying” at the BRICS meeting
Meanwhile, Araqchi used his speech at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting to call for stronger collective resistance against what he described as US coercion and pressure tactics.
In his speech to the audience, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that many of the countries represented at the summit faced similar forms of external pressure.
“For almost everyone in this room, our resistance against American bullying is not an unfamiliar battle,” he said. “Many of us face nuanced variations of the same abhorrent coercion. It is time for us to step up together and make clear that these practices must go to the dustbin of history.”
Araghchi also warned of what he described as the dangers posed by the decline of global powers that are trying to maintain their dominance.
He added: “Today, our nations are closer together than ever before, and we cannot ignore the common and dangerous challenge we all face. History has shown that declining empires will stop at nothing to stop their inevitable fate. A wounded animal will scratch and growl on its way down.”
His remarks came as foreign ministers and senior officials from BRICS countries gathered in New Delhi for high-level talks, as the group increasingly positions itself as a key platform for coordination on global political and security issues, including the turbulent situation in West Asia.
(with ANI inputs)
