Jaishankar, Araghchi Discuss Energy Security During BRICS Meet

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi saw key discussions on energy security, West Asia tensions and maritime stability as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held detailed talks on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with discussions focusing on the worsening security situation in West Asia and its wider impact on global energy supply chains and maritime routes.

The meeting took place in New Delhi during the second day of the BRICS ministerial gathering, which has drawn senior diplomats from major emerging economies at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty across the region.

Focus On West Asia

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the two ministers reviewed the evolving situation in West Asia, particularly concerns linked to regional escalation, shipping security and energy flows through critical maritime corridors.

India has been closely monitoring developments in the region due to its dependence on crude oil imports and the strategic importance of shipping lanes connecting the Gulf with Asian markets.

In a post shared on X after the meeting, Jaishankar described the interaction as a “detailed conversation” with his Iranian counterpart.

“Discussed the situation in West Asia and its implications. Also exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interest,” the minister said.

The Indian side also acknowledged Iran’s participation in the BRICS ministerial process, which has gained added diplomatic weight amid shifting global alignments.

Araghchi On Three-Day Visit

Araghchi arrived in India earlier this week for a three-day visit linked to the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being hosted in the national capital on May 14 and 15.

The visit comes against the backdrop of continuing tensions in West Asia, where concerns over regional conflict, sanctions and military activity have intensified international diplomatic engagement in recent weeks.

Officials said the India-Iran talks also touched upon bilateral cooperation and regional connectivity issues, although no formal agreements were announced after the meeting.

Modi-Araghchi Meeting

A day before the Jaishankar-Araghchi interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Iranian foreign minister on the sidelines of the BRICS gathering.

The meeting signalled continued diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Tehran despite ongoing geopolitical volatility in the region.

Sources indicated that issues related to regional stability, trade routes and energy cooperation figured during the interaction. India has maintained regular engagement with countries in West Asia as tensions continue to affect international markets and strategic shipping channels.

Iran Targets US Policies

Addressing delegates at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Araghchi also delivered a sharp criticism of US foreign policy, urging BRICS nations to collectively resist what he termed “American bullying”.

“To virtually everyone in this room, our resistance against US bullying is not an unfamiliar battle,” the Iranian minister said during his address.

He argued that coercive international policies should be pushed into the “dustbin of history” and warned against the actions of declining global powers.

The remarks came as BRICS members discussed broader issues ranging from economic cooperation and multilateral reforms to regional security and trade resilience.

Strategic Importance Grows

India’s hosting of the BRICS ministerial meeting has assumed greater significance amid continuing instability in West Asia and evolving global power equations.

Diplomatic observers say the grouping is increasingly positioning itself as a platform for coordination among emerging economies on issues such as energy security, trade connectivity and global governance reforms.

For India, the discussions also carry immediate economic relevance. Any prolonged disruption in West Asia could impact fuel prices, shipping insurance costs and supply chains, all of which remain closely linked to domestic inflation and trade.

The BRICS meetings in New Delhi are expected to continue with additional bilateral interactions among participating nations before the ministerial session concludes later on Friday.