Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan on October 22. The meeting between the two friendly countries during Iran’s first BRICS Summit as an official member since joining the bloc on January 1, Intellinews reports.

 

During their bilateral meeting, both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation within the BRICS framework and discussed key regional issues, including the need to end regional conflicts and avoid double standards in human rights matters.

 

Pezeshkian highlighted Iran’s interest in expanding relations with India, particularly emphasising the importance of expediting agreements on the development of the Chabahar Port, of which India has a long-term lease as part of its part of North-South Transport Corridor, which connects to Russia.

 

The Iranian President also proposed creating a regional connectivity network among countries in the region, suggesting BRICS could serve as a suitable platform for this initiative.

 

Modi expressed India’s desire to enhance cooperation with Iran under Pezeshkian’s leadership and discussed the development of Chabahar Port, which he described as “the biggest pillar of bilateral cooperation.”

 

The Indian Prime Minister also recalled his previous visit to Iran and his meeting with the Supreme Leader.

 

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri termed the discussion “fruitful,” adding that Prime Minister Modi expressed deep concern about the escalating conflict in West Asia

 

The summit in Kazan marks Iran’s debut as a full BRICS member, with President Pezeshkian scheduled to participate in sessions focused on multilateralism and global development and holding bilateral meetings with other BRICS leaders.

 

Before he departed from Tehran, Pezeshkian described BRICS membership as an opportunity to strengthen Iran’s global relations and counter what he termed U.S. “totalitarianism.”

 

During his visit, the president will engage in several high-level meetings, including the main BRICS leaders’ session themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security” and the BRICS Plus session held under the theme “BRICS and Global South: building a better world together”.