- Energy Security, Regional Stability and Multilateral Cooperation Take Center Stage at High-Level New Delhi Meeting
NEW DELHI – Foreign ministers from the expanding BRICS bloc gathered in India on Thursday for high-level discussions focused on the escalating Middle East conflict, global energy security, and strengthening cooperation among emerging economies.
India, serving as the current chair of BRICS, is hosting the two-day ministerial meeting in New Delhi amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and increasing volatility in global oil and gas markets linked to tensions in the Gulf region.
The expanded BRICS grouping now includes Iran and the United Arab Emirates alongside founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, reflecting the bloc’s growing international influence and strategic reach.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the discussions would focus on “global and regional issues of mutual interest.” Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the meeting comes at a critical moment for global diplomacy and economic coordination.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday, according to Iran’s embassy in India, while Sergey Lavrov also joined the discussions after holding talks with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Jaishankar said the bilateral discussions with Lavrov focused on trade, investment, energy cooperation, connectivity, and major international issues, emphasizing the importance of political coordination in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The ongoing instability around Gulf shipping routes and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz continues to impact international energy markets, placing additional pressure on energy-importing economies such as India.
Analysts say the regional conflict has heightened concerns over energy supplies, trade flows, and broader economic stability, particularly for countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, gas, and fertilizer imports.
Founded in 2009, BRICS was established as a platform for major emerging economies seeking greater representation in global governance and international financial institutions traditionally dominated by Western powers. The bloc’s recent expansion underscores its ambition to enhance political and economic cooperation across the Global South.
The foreign ministers are also expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled to take place later this year.
Despite differing positions among some member states on the Middle East conflict and broader geopolitical issues, the gathering is widely viewed as an important forum for dialogue, strategic coordination, and strengthening multilateral engagement during a period of heightened global uncertainty.
BY: The Times Union
