Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, has arrived in New Delhi for an important meeting of BRICS foreign ministers. This gathering is hosted by India in anticipation of the bloc’s annual summit scheduled later this year. The discussions span two days, specifically on May 14 and 15, and will be chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar.

Upon his arrival, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to Araghchi. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed the sentiment on social media platform X, stating, “A very warm welcome to Foreign Minister of Iran, Syed Abbas Araghchi, on his arrival in New Delhi for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.”

Araghchi arrived on an Iranian aircraft named “Minab168,” which symbolically honours the 168 individuals who lost their lives in a US missile attack on a school in Minab during the US-Israel conflict with Iran. This naming holds significant weight in Iranian discourse, representing a grim reminder of the impact of military actions on civilians.

Discussions on Gulf Conflict and Internal Divisions

The timing of this meeting coincides with heightened tensions regarding the Iran conflict, with Tehran encouraging BRICS members, particularly India as the chair, to adopt a firmer diplomatic stance against the ongoing US-Israel military actions. Iran has urged New Delhi to harness its “independent role” to facilitate a cessation of hostilities.

However, divisions among the BRICS nation-states have become increasingly pronounced. Last month, a joint statement regarding the ongoing conflict could not be agreed upon during talks, as disagreements surfaced between Iran and the United Arab Emirates related to allegations of attacks on energy infrastructures in the Gulf region. Such disputes have complicated India’s efforts to establish a unified front ahead of the foreign ministers’ discussions.

It remains uncertain whether the upcoming meeting will yield a collective statement on these matters, given the existing rifts within the organisation. The divergence in perspectives highlights the challenges faced by BRICS in achieving consensus amidst geopolitical complexities.

Notable Absences and Expected Attendance

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, will be absent from the BRICS meeting due to a state visit by US President Donald Trump in Beijing, which coincides with the New Delhi discussions. Instead, China has designated Ambassador Xu Feihong to represent its interests at the gathering.

On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is confirmed to attend, reinforcing the participation of key figures from BRICS member countries. Additionally, a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for the foreign ministers attending the gathering, indicating the importance placed on diplomatic relations and cooperation.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has emphasised that the agenda will cover a range of “global and regional issues of mutual interest.” One session will centre on the theme “BRICS@20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,” addressing broader concerns of the bloc. Another session is expected to engage with proposals for reforming global governance and multilateral institutions.

This gathering represents a crucial test of BRICS’s ability to maintain internal harmony while confronted with divergent views on security, energy, and foreign policy priorities, particularly in light of escalating geopolitical tensions among member nations.

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