The meetings show Iran using BRICS not only as a political platform but also to broaden economic partnerships, strengthen South–South cooperation and promote alternative financial channels. The key question now is whether this diplomatic activity will translate into concrete trade, investment and bilateral agreements.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, engaging with leaders from India, the UAE, Malaysia, Ethiopia and South Africa. The meetings came as regional tensions and economic uncertainty shaped much of the summit’s agenda. Pezeshkian used the gathering to present Iran’s position on regional developments while emphasizing diplomacy, stronger bilateral relations and deeper economic cooperation within BRICS.
His talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on Iran–India relations, developments in West Asia and the security of trade and maritime routes. With Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s opposition to the continuation of regional conflict and called for greater diplomatic engagement. His meeting with the UAE leadership was particularly significant given recent regional tensions, while discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reflected Tehran’s broader effort to strengthen ties with African members of BRICS.
Taken together, the meetings suggest that Tehran sees BRICS as more than a diplomatic forum. Iran is seeking to use the bloc to expand political engagement, strengthen South–South cooperation and develop economic alternatives, including greater use of national currencies and alternative financial channels. The immediate impact of these meetings will depend on whether the diplomatic momentum translates into concrete economic agreements and bilateral initiatives, but the New Delhi summit provided Iran with an important platform to broaden its engagement across the BRICS network.