Iran FM Araghchi likely to visit India for Brics meet on May 14-15: Report

Amid the ongoing crisis in
West Asia, reports are emerging that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is likely to visit India this month. According to the information obtained by News18 India, the Iranian diplomat would reportedly arrive in Delhi to attend the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting, which is scheduled to take place this month.

The visit is seen as crucial since Iran is currently engaged in a war against the US, and the ongoing peace efforts are facing numerous challenges. Sources close to the matter told News18 on Thursday that Tehran attaches “high importance” to Brics and has ensured participation of high-level representatives at various
Brics meetings since joining the grouping.

If materialised, this will be Araghchi’s visit to India since the start of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Sources told News18 that Iran wants Brics, under the presidency of India, to play a “constructive role” in the escalating tension in the region.

Iran seeks support

Earlier, Araghchi raised the issue during his conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in March. As per the statement issued by the Iranian government at that time, Araghchi emphasised that “platforms like Brics have an important role to play under the current circumstances and should contribute constructively towards maintaining regional and global stability and security.”

In the past, Iran has called for a stronger role of Brics in diplomacy because the grouping included major global players such as India, Russia and China, besides Iran itself. It is pertient to note that countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia — which Iran had sharply reacted to following recent US military actions — are also part of the expanded BRICS framework.

The latest development reflects the importance of India, which is currently holding the presidency of the bloc and is preparing to host the summit in New Delhi this year. In that context, Tehran’s outreach to New Delhi and its appeal for a larger BRICS role carry major geopolitical significance amid the continuing West Asia crisis.