New Delhi, May 14, 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as tensions in West Asia escalated. The encounter, held during the two-day ministerial gathering that India is chairing, was described by the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi as a formal diplomatic meeting between the two leaders.
The discussion came amid intensive talks among visiting foreign ministers, including Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, and marks India’s first senior-level diplomatic outreach since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. Officials framed the meeting as part of broader efforts to promote regional stability and strengthen multilateral cooperation within the BRICS framework.
At the plenary sessions, Araghchi delivered a pointed critique of Western influence, singling out what he called American pressure and coercion. He told delegates that Iran’s resistance to ‘US bullying’ would be familiar to many countries present and urged BRICS members to take a united stand against coercive practices, saying such approaches should be consigned to the ‘dustbin of history.’
Araghchi also warned against ‘reckless adventures’ that stoke instability in the region, arguing that actions pursued in the name of strategic advantage often produce widespread volatility and are ultimately detrimental to all parties involved. Using a metaphor to underscore his point, he suggested that powers in decline may take extreme measures to try to arrest their fall, likening such behavior to a ‘wounded animal’ lashing out.
Delegates emphasized that the BRICS forum — convening senior ministers to discuss security and economic cooperation — provides an important platform for dialogue amid global tensions. India’s role as convener of the meeting underscored New Delhi’s interest in facilitating conversations that could de-escalate regional crises and preserve channels for diplomatic engagement.
The meeting and the statements delivered by Iran’s foreign minister reflect the heightened stakes for diplomacy as global and regional actors navigate the fallout from conflict in West Asia. The Tribune published this report from a syndicated feed; it is republished here as received and the paper assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
