Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with foreign ministers from BRICS nations in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day diplomatic meeting [1], [2].

This gathering serves as a critical precursor to the 18th BRICS summit scheduled for 2026 [3]. The meeting allows the bloc to coordinate positions on global instability and economic pressures before the heads of state convene.

The discussions began May 14 and continue through May 15, 2026 [1], [2]. The agenda focuses on pressing international crises, specifically the Iran war and the resulting volatility of oil prices [3], [4]. Ministers are also tasked with addressing internal divisions within the expanded bloc to ensure a unified front during the upcoming summit [3].

Prime Minister Modi hosted the delegation, which included the foreign ministers of the five original member states — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa [5], as well as representatives from newer member nations. Among the high-profile attendees was Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov [6].

An ANI reporter said Modi met several of the ministers on Thursday as part of the "global huddle" in the Indian capital [6]. The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed Lavrov's attendance for the event [7].

The meeting follows a period of diplomatic engagement for the group, with the most recent ministerial gathering occurring on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 26, 2025 [8]. By hosting this session, India aims to steer the conversation regarding the bloc's expanded membership and its role in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

“The agenda focuses on pressing international crises, specifically the Iran war and the resulting volatility of oil prices.”

This meeting signals India's intent to act as a mediator and strategic hub for the expanded BRICS bloc. By prioritizing discussions on the Iran war and oil volatility, the group is attempting to create a non-Western framework for conflict resolution and economic stability, which may challenge traditional G7 influence over global energy markets.