Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi [1].

The meeting occurs as escalating tensions in West Asia and the Hormuz crisis threaten global trade and maritime security. India is seeking to leverage the BRICS platform to foster diplomatic consensus and ensure the safety of critical shipping routes [1].

The interaction took place at the Bharat Mandapam, where Jaishankar greeted Araghchi with a handshake [1, 2]. This gesture serves as a public signal of diplomatic engagement between the two nations during a period of high regional volatility. The broader summit is scheduled to last for two days [1].

Officials at the gathering are focused on the necessity of regional peace to protect economic interests. During the event, Jaishankar said, "The world needs stability" [2].

Beyond the bilateral greeting, the BRICS meeting aims to synchronize the positions of member states regarding the current crises in West Asia. The ministers are working to establish a shared framework for maintaining secure maritime routes, which are vital for energy imports and exports [1].

New Delhi continues to position itself as a mediator and a stable partner in the Global South. By hosting these discussions, India seeks to balance its strategic partnerships while addressing the immediate threats posed by the Hormuz crisis [1, 2].

“The world needs stability.”

This diplomatic engagement highlights India's strategic effort to maintain a functional relationship with Iran despite broader geopolitical pressures. By hosting the BRICS meeting in New Delhi, India is attempting to lead a multilateral push for stability in West Asia, specifically to protect the maritime corridors that are essential for its own energy security and economic growth.