Zahra Pezeshkian and her husband Hassan Majidi explore Indian crafts and cultural traditions as the BRICS Summit brings global leaders and visitors to the capital.
NEW DELHI , GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 : The cultural side of the 18th BRICS Summit came into focus in New Delhi as Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, visited the BRICS Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy along with her husband, Hassan Majidi.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Iranian visitors to experience India’s traditional crafts and artistic heritage at a special exhibition being organised in the national capital during India’s BRICS presidency.
The BRICS Bazaar, which opened on September 10 and will continue until September 15, brings together traditional craftsmanship from BRICS countries. Handlooms, textiles, artwork and other forms of heritage craftsmanship are being showcased as part of the cultural programme surrounding the summit.
Culture Becomes a BRICS Connect
The bazaar represents a dimension of BRICS cooperation that extends beyond government meetings and economic discussions. By bringing artisans, traditional artists and cultural products into the summit environment, the event provides visitors with an opportunity to see the cultural diversity represented by the participating countries.
For visitors from Iran, the exhibition also offers a window into India’s long-standing craft traditions and the cultural links that have developed between the two civilisations over centuries.
Zahra Pezeshkian’s visit comes during her father’s official presence in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in the Indian capital on September 11 to participate in the summit and related engagements.
Iran-India Engagement
The cultural visit comes at a time of renewed high-level India-Iran engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with President Pezeshkian in New Delhi on September 11, with discussions covering regional developments, bilateral relations and the need for stability and secure movement of trade and shipping.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges. Their discussions took place against a difficult geopolitical backdrop involving continuing tensions in West Asia and disruptions affecting maritime trade.
Against this background, the visit by the Iranian President’s daughter to a cultural venue adds a softer, people-to-people dimension to the wider diplomatic engagement.
Traditional Crafts Take Centre Stage
The BRICS Bazaar is showcasing the work of master artisans from participating countries, with traditional techniques being presented alongside contemporary interpretations.
Artisans from countries including South Africa and Russia are among those exhibiting their work. The exhibition features craft traditions ranging from African beadwork to historic Russian lacquer painting, demonstrating the variety of cultural practices represented within the wider BRICS grouping.
The presence of international visitors at the bazaar highlights how cultural exhibitions can complement formal diplomatic meetings by creating opportunities for direct interaction with heritage and craftsmanship.
A Different Side of the BRICS Summit
While the main BRICS programme is focused on diplomacy, economic cooperation, global governance and international issues, events such as the BRICS Bazaar are presenting another side of the summit—one centred on culture, heritage and people-to-people connections.
Zahra Pezeshkian and Hassan Majidi’s visit therefore adds a cultural element to Iran’s presence in New Delhi and reflects the broader effort to use the BRICS platform not only for political and economic engagement but also for cultural exchange.
With the bazaar continuing through September 15, the exhibition is expected to remain one of the public-facing cultural attractions associated with India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit.
GTNS | NEW DELHI