Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while wrapping up his trip to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, stated that Tehran and Abu Dhabi had decided to 'leave the past behind' and focus on the future, as the two parties engaged in discussions during the summit in New Delhi.
Pezeshkian's comments followed his meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during the BRICS Summit, marking an important diplomatic interaction between Iran and the United Arab Emirates amid the continuing West Asia conflict.
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While visiting, Pezeshkian met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to the BRICS Summit. The two leaders talked about different facets of India-Iran relations and shared perspectives on recent events in West Asia, such as the increased uncertainty and disruptions impacting the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of External Affairs indicated that PM Modi reaffirmed India's steadfast stance that all matters should be settled through dialogue and diplomatic means. The meeting was the second encounter between PM Modi and Pezeshkian lately. The two leaders previously met on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Bishkek on August 31.
In Friday's meeting, PM Modi expressed gratitude to Iran for its consistent, high-level involvement in BRICS-related discussions despite the difficult situation. He also highlighted the possibility for BRICS to foster resilience, innovation, collaboration, and sustainability among nations in the Global South.
President Droupadi Murmu met Pezeshkian at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday during his trip to New Delhi. Pezeshkian met with other BRICS leaders and officials while in India. The Iranian Embassy stated that he convened with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and engaged in talks with him during the summit's sidelines.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a separate meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, during which they discussed their bilateral relations and regional issues. Araghchi also conversed with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during the BRICS Summit.
Speaking at the BRICS Summit, Pezeshkian called on the alliance to implement tangible actions against unilateral and, as he termed it, inhumane sanctions, asserting that BRICS should advocate for justice.
The leaders of BRICS collectively endorsed the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which advocated for changes in global governance and enhanced representation for developing nations.
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The statement also voiced significant worry regarding the ongoing increase in tensions in West Asia and urged for utmost restraint and the avoidance of actions that might further inflame the situation. It advocated for the safeguarding of civilians and civilian facilities, honoring sovereignty and territorial integrity, and increased initiatives through dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving enduring peace, security, and stability in the area. It also emphasized the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade, supply chains, and energy in line with international law.