New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stepped up India’s diplomatic engagements ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, holding separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New Delhi.
The meetings came against the backdrop of conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, disruptions to global trade and shipping, and India’s push for greater representation of the Global South in international institutions. India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12-13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
PM Modi and Russian President Putin review progress in bilateral cooperation; discuss West Asia conflict
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin reviewed progress in India-Russia bilateral cooperation during their meeting, covering political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also discussed India-Russia engagement in BRICS under India’s 2026 chairship.
The leaders exchanged views on the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, particularly their impact on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers. Modi reiterated India’s position that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
A closer India-Russia partnership!
PM @narendramodi and President Putin visited INNOPROM exhibition in Delhi, where businesses from both countries came together. It reflected the deep economic partnership between India and Russia. pic.twitter.com/Woty8pLCV2
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 11, 2026
They also welcomed the first edition of Russia’s INNOPROM India industrial exhibition and visited the event together. India and Russia are seeking to expand economic and industrial cooperation, with bilateral trade targeted at $100 billion by 2030, from nearly $70 billion in 2024-25.
The meeting was the leaders’ second in less than two weeks, following their talks on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31.
PM Modi, Iran President Pezeshkian hold talks on West Asia crisis, bilateral ties
Modi also held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with the escalating West Asia crisis, regional peace and India-Iran relations dominating the discussion.
Modi stressed the need for lasting peace and stability, while reiterating India’s consistent position that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. He also underlined the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce and the safety of seafarers, particularly amid disruptions to shipping in the region.
PM @narendramodi met President @drpezeshkian in Delhi today. The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Iran friendship. The PM also expressed India’s steadfast commitment to pursuing lasting peace in the region. pic.twitter.com/gPrkaRcNf9
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 11, 2026
The meeting was the second between Modi and Pezeshkian in less than two weeks. They had earlier met at the SCO Summit in Bishkek, where they discussed the West Asia conflict and bilateral ties.
The latest talks assume particular significance as Iran’s membership has added considerable geopolitical weight to the expanded BRICS grouping, while the ongoing West Asia conflict has also exposed differences among BRICS members.
PM Modi meets UN Chief Guterres, discusses India’s BRICS presidency, urgent UN reforms
Modi also held a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit.
The discussions come as India seeks to use its BRICS presidency to advance the interests of the Global South and push for reforms in multilateral institutions. Guterres has been expected to emphasise the need to reform the UN Security Council and other global institutions so that they better reflect present-day geopolitical and economic realities.
PM @narendramodi had a meeting with @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres in Delhi. The two leaders discussed India’s BRICS Presidency, strengthening multilateralism and the urgent need for reforms at the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/su7KOdVJpi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 11, 2026
UN reform is a major priority for India, particularly its longstanding demand for a greater voice for developing countries in global decision-making. The meeting also comes as BRICS itself seeks to strengthen its role in reshaping global governance.
Guterres is scheduled to participate in the BRICS leaders’ open session on September 13, focused on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
Modi’s diplomatic sprint continues
The three meetings form part of an intensive diplomatic schedule surrounding the BRICS Summit. Modi is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from BRICS member and partner countries during the three-day engagement.
Among the most closely watched will be his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for Saturday. The talks come amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations following years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Modi is also scheduled to meet leaders from Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UAE, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Egypt, South Africa, Burundi, Nigeria and Uganda during the summit-related engagements.
BRICS summit comes amid global tensions
The diplomatic meetings take place as the expanded 11-member BRICS faces a complex geopolitical environment. The grouping now represents nearly half of the world’s population and around 40% of global GDP on a purchasing-power-parity basis, giving it significant economic and political weight.
India is seeking to position BRICS as a constructive platform for the Global South, focusing on practical cooperation in areas including trade, energy security, supply chains, technology, innovation and development.
However, differences among members over the West Asia conflict could make consensus on major geopolitical issues difficult. India’s diplomatic challenge at the summit will be to bridge these differences while advancing its broader agenda of reforming global governance and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
