S Jaishankar welcomes Iran's Araghchi with handshake, short chat at Delhi Brics event

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday welcomed his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, with a handshake and brief exchange of words at the Brics Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a three-day official visit, primarily to attend the two-day Brics meeting. The visit marks Tehran’s first high-level diplomatic engagement with India since the outbreak of the US-Israel war involving Iran more than two months ago.

The Iranian foreign minister is also scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with S Jaishankar, with discussions expected to centre on the deteriorating security situation in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz is likely to feature prominently in the talks. India is expected to convey concerns over the safe passage of merchant vessels through the narrow waterway, which remains vital for global crude oil and LNG supplies, according to people familiar with the matter.

Global oil and gas prices have witnessed sharp volatility after Iran effectively moved to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman that accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.

Since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war on February 28, Araghchi has held multiple phone conversations with Jaishankar as Tehran sought to maintain close engagement with New Delhi during the conflict.

Araghchi and other Brics foreign ministers are also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as part of the high-level diplomatic engagements linked to the conclave.

BRICS CONSENSUS ON WEST ASIA UNDER SPOTLIGHT

Diplomatic observers are closely watching whether the Brics ministerial meeting will be able to produce a consensus statement on the West Asia conflict, amid visible divisions within the bloc.

India’s efforts to forge a common Brics position on the crisis had run into obstacles during a meeting of the grouping’s deputy foreign ministers and special envoys on the Middle East and North America last month.

According to diplomatic sources, no joint position could be finalised due to disagreements between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have traded accusations in recent weeks over alleged Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in the UAE.

Ahead of the meeting, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi underlined Tehran’s commitment to Brics, calling for discussions on Global South cooperation, reform of international economic governance, expansion of independent trade mechanisms and strengthening financial and banking ties.

“The Brics foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi can be an important opportunity for dialogue on the future of Global South cooperation, reforming international economic governance, developing independent trade, strengthening financial and banking ties, and reducing countries' dependence on discriminatory and unilateral mechanisms,” he said.

Gharibabadi added that Iran’s geopolitical position, energy resources, transit potential and scientific capabilities could contribute significantly to Brics priorities relating to balanced development, economic security and regional connectivity.

Following the escalation of the West Asia conflict, Iran had urged India, as the current Brics chair, to use its “independent role” to help stop US-Israel hostilities against Tehran.