India and Iran review longstanding bilateral ties as President Masoud Pezeshkian meets President Droupadi Murmu during his New Delhi visit for the BRICS Summit.
NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, marking a high-level engagement between India and Iran during the 18th BRICS Summit.
The meeting formed part of President Pezeshkian’s visit to India for the BRICS gathering and comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Tehran.
India and Iran share longstanding civilisational and cultural connections, alongside cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy and regional affairs. Their relationship has also developed around efforts to strengthen links between India and Central Asia.
The Iranian President’s visit provides an opportunity for the two sides to discuss areas of mutual interest and reinforce the importance of continued dialogue.
India-Iran Relations
India and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, with both countries regularly engaging on regional developments and economic cooperation.
Connectivity has remained an important component of the relationship, particularly India’s interest in expanding access to Central Asian markets through Iranian territory. The Chabahar port project has been a prominent element of this cooperation.
Energy, trade, investment and cultural exchanges have also formed part of the broader bilateral relationship.
BRICS Adds Wider Significance
Pezeshkian’s meeting with President Murmu comes as leaders of BRICS countries gather in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit.
Iran became a full member of BRICS in 2024, giving Tehran an additional platform for engagement with India and other major emerging economies.
The summit has brought leaders and senior representatives together to discuss economic cooperation, development, global governance and issues of common interest.
Focus on Dialogue and Regional Cooperation
The India-Iran engagement is also significant against the backdrop of continuing geopolitical developments in West Asia.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are important for addressing regional tensions and protecting trade and connectivity routes.
The meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan therefore adds a high-level political dimension to President Pezeshkian’s New Delhi visit and reinforces the continuing importance of India-Iran diplomatic engagement.
With the BRICS Summit providing a wider multilateral setting, the two countries have an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation while also coordinating on broader issues affecting the Global South.
GTNS | NEW DELHI ,Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026