Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, September 11, 2026, ahead of the BRICS Summit. The meeting took place in India, where Pezeshkian was visiting for the first time since taking office in 2024. Modi called for resolving the ongoing conflict with the United States through dialogue and diplomacy, stressing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Modi highlighted the disruption to the energy supply chain caused by the U.S.–Israel attack on Iran on February 28 and urged continued efforts to secure maritime routes and protect seafarers. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to enduring peace in West Asia and praised Iran’s regular participation in multilateral consultations under BRICS. Modi also welcomed Pezeshkian to the Leaders’ Session of the BRICS Business Forum.
President Pezeshkian described the talks with Modi as a step toward strengthening Iran‑India energy and commercial ties. He referred to Israel and the U.S. as “bullies” and declared that Iran would not be bullied, citing the history of oppression and the need for truth and justice. Pezeshkian also called for greater use of national currencies in trade to mitigate currency risk and for the creation of a joint BRICS insurance company to support infrastructure and energy projects.
The BRICS Business Forum session saw Pezeshkian urge the use of national currencies for mutual settlement and propose a $10 billion capital insurance fund. The event was attended by representatives from various religious and business communities, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Kashmir and Iran’s ambassador Mohammad Fathali, who praised Indian support amid the conflict and highlighted Iran’s resilience since the loss of its Supreme Leader on February 28.
