Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday praised India’s leadership of BRICS, saying New Delhi can steer the grouping “in an excellent way” as it seeks to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies.
“We consider India as a great emerging country, which is now presiding over BRICS,” Araghchi told the media ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
“BRICS is a very important institution right now and is playing a very important role. I’m sure that India is able to lead the BRICS group and the countries that are members of this group in an excellent way,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, says, “We consider India as a great emerging country, which is now presiding over BRICS. BRICS is a very important institution
right now and is playing a very important role. I’m sure that India is able to lead the BRICS… pic.twitter.com/4aPMzLhAcS
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2026
Araghchi is in New Delhi for the summit, which will bring together leaders of the 11-member grouping.
Push For National Currencies
Araghchi also highlighted discussions within BRICS on reducing reliance on dominant currencies in trade between member states.
“Inside BRICS, there are different opinions, but all members of the group believe that national currencies should be strengthened and trade between the member states should be conducted through national currencies,” he said.
He added that the idea of a common BRICS currency remains under consideration, saying, “Having a single currency is still under consideration.”
Pezeshkian, Modi Discuss West Asia
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday for the summit, his first visit to India as president. He also held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the conflict in West Asia high on the agenda.
PM Modi urged Pezeshkian to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict and stressed the importance of safe navigation and the safety of seafarers.
The two leaders also reviewed India-Iran ties and cooperation in multilateral forums, including BRICS. Modi also thanked Iran for its continued high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
The grouping comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE, and has emerged as a key platform for cooperation among major emerging economies and the wider Global South.
(With inputs from agencies)
