External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on May 14, 2026 [1], at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi [1].
The gathering serves as a critical diplomatic forum for emerging economies to navigate geopolitical instability. With tensions rising in West Asia and global energy stability at risk, the meeting provides a venue for members to coordinate economic cooperation and security strategies outside of Western-led frameworks.
The summit took place at Bharat Mandapam, where ministers and representatives met to address a broad agenda [1]. Discussions focused on global trade and the various geopolitical challenges currently facing the member nations [2]. During the proceedings, Dr. Jaishankar addressed the issue of international pressure, saying, "Unilateral sanctions are unjustifiable" [3]. While he made the comment during the BRICS session, he refrained from naming the U.S. specifically [3].
Despite the cooperative spirit of the BRICS bloc, regional frictions surfaced during the event. Abbas Araghchi used the platform to highlight conflicts between member states, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates. "The UAE is directly involved in military operations against Iran," Araghchi said [4].
The presence of Iranian leadership in New Delhi underscores India's role as a diplomatic bridge. By hosting these representatives, India continues to manage a complex balance between its strategic partnerships in the Middle East and its commitment to the BRICS collective [1, 2]. The meeting concluded with a focus on strengthening regional security and finding sustainable paths for economic growth amidst global volatility.
“"Unilateral sanctions are unjustifiable,"”
The clash between Iran and the UAE during a BRICS summit highlights the difficulty of maintaining a unified economic bloc when member states hold conflicting security interests. India's willingness to host these discussions and Jaishankar's critique of unilateral sanctions suggest a strategic pivot toward a multipolar world order where BRICS nations seek greater autonomy from Western financial and political constraints.
