Prime Minister Narendra Modi met senior diplomats attending the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday as India continued its diplomatic outreach under its 2026 Chairship of the grouping. PM Modi’s meeting with BRICS foreign ministers’ engagement brought together representatives from several member nations and highlighted India’s focus on strengthening cooperation across trade, development, multilateral reforms, and regional stability. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the high-level ministerial gathering being hosted in the national capital, with leaders exchanging views on issues shaping the global agenda.
PM Modi meets BRICS foreign ministers during high-level diplomatic engagement
PM Modi met with BRICS foreign ministers; discussions included separate interactions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
PM Modi also joined foreign ministers and delegates for the official BRICS family photograph, which brought together representatives from member countries and partner nations participating in the summit.
The ministerial meeting is one of the key events being organised during India’s presidency of BRICS, reflecting New Delhi’s efforts to deepen engagement with emerging economies while promoting dialogue on global governance and economic cooperation.
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Dr Jaishankar welcomes global delegates before the meeting
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar formally welcomed the visiting ministers and senior officials at Bharat Mandapam before the official sessions began. PM Modi’s meeting with the BRICS foreign ministers event followed a series of bilateral interactions led by the External Affairs Minister.
Among those welcomed were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos Hessebon, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar.
China was represented by Ambassador Xu Feihong in place of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono ahead of the broader BRICS discussions, underlining India’s emphasis on strengthening ties with partner countries.
India advances BRICS agenda under 2026 chairship
The engagement comes as India leads the expanded BRICS grouping after assuming the chairship from Brazil on January 1, 2026.
The two-day ministerial meeting is expected to focus on economic cooperation, trade, climate action, multilateral reforms, and sustainable development. India is also using its presidency to strengthen collaboration among member nations while encouraging greater coordination on global challenges.
This is the fourth time India has chaired BRICS after previously hosting summits in 2012, 2016, and 2021. Officials believe the current presidency provides another opportunity for New Delhi to shape discussions on development priorities and international cooperation.
