UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, discussing the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine and their wider consequences for the global economy, including access to food and fertiliser.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit being hosted by India on September 12 and 13, also covered freedom of navigation, the growing risks posed by lethal autonomous weapons and India’s priorities during its BRICS presidency.

Conflicts And Global Economic Impact Discussed

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Modi and Guterres exchanged views on the continuing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine and their effects beyond the immediate regions.

The two leaders “had a wide-ranging discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the impact both are having on the global economy, including regarding access to food and fertiliser,” the spokesperson’s office said.

The statement also said that Guterres “reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation”.

The issue has gained greater prominence amid concerns over the impact of regional conflicts on international trade routes and global supply chains.

Concerns Over Autonomous Weapons And BRICS Priorities

Modi and Guterres also discussed the growing danger associated with lethal autonomous weapons, according to the UN spokesperson’s office.

Their talks further covered the priorities of India’s BRICS presidency, including the need for multilateral institutions that more clearly reflect the realities of the world in the 21st century.

Guterres expressed appreciation for India’s close cooperation with the United Nations, the statement said.

UN Chief To Address BRICS Open Session

Guterres has been invited to address the Open Session of the BRICS Summit on September 13. The session is titled ‘Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth’.

India, a founding member of BRICS, holds the grouping’s chairmanship for 2026 and is hosting the 18th summit, which will bring together leaders of member states and partner countries, along with outreach invitees.

Guterres is serving his second five-year term as UN Secretary-General, which is scheduled to end in December 2026.

The UN chief had previously travelled to India in February to attend the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

Friday’s meeting underlined continued engagement between India and the United Nations, while bringing together discussions on major global conflicts, their economic consequences, emerging security challenges and the future direction of multilateral cooperation.

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