Modi urges Iran to safeguard navigation in talks ahead of BRICS summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, 2026, ahead of the 18th BRICS summit. During the meeting, Modi underscored the need to safeguard freedom of navigation, commerce, and the safety and wellbeing of seafarers amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The meeting, which took place hours after Pezeshkian arrived in the Indian capital, was the second between the two leaders in under two weeks. They last met on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. According to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs, Modi reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also called for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. The talks focused on recent developments in West Asia, where the United States and Iran have resumed tit-for-tat strikes after a pause in fighting during much of August. India has been particularly affected by attacks on vessels transiting the region, which have killed at least 10 Indians.