Iran President Pezeshkian’s New Delhi Diplomacy Amid West Asia Tensions

On September 12, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. The two leaders discussed regional hostilities and expressed support for de-escalation. The day before, President Pezeshkian held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on strengthening India-Iran ties and reviewing the escalating situation in West Asia.

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West Asia has been marked by ongoing conflicts, including Iran’s targeting of military installations in the United Arab Emirates ten days prior to the New Delhi meeting. The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India, adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which voiced “deep concern” over the multiple conflicts in the region, affirmed the “inalienable rights” of the Palestinian people, and called for restraint, the smooth flow of global trade, and respect for international law.

The Hindu

• August 31, 2026 – Pezeshkian and Modi met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

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• September 11, 2026 – Bilateral meeting between Pezeshkian and Modi in New Delhi.

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• September 12, 2026 – Pezeshkian met Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; the New Delhi Declaration was announced.

The Hindu

• Iran’s state news agency IRNA framed the talks as a continuation of “Iran’s consistent calls for and emphasis on strengthening relations with its southern neighbours.”

The Hindu

• The New Delhi Declaration called for “maximum restraint” and urged all parties to avoid actions that could aggravate the situation, while demanding an end to policies aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasizing a “just and lasting solution” based on the 1967 borders.

The Hindu

• The event took place during the 18th BRICS Summit (September 12-13, 2026).

CNN-News18

• The New Delhi Declaration was adopted by the BRICS leaders on the first day of the summit.

CNN-News18

The series of high-level engagements signals a coordinated diplomatic effort by Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and India to mitigate the risk of broader regional escalation. By emphasizing de-escalation, trade continuity, and energy security, the participants aim to preserve maritime routes such as the Bab-el-Mandeb and sustain economic stability for the wider Indo-Pacific and Middle-East regions.

The Hindu

• “Iran’s consistent calls for and emphasis on strengthening relations with its southern neighbours” — Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran

The Hindu

• “The territorial integrity and security of the region [West Asia] can only be guaranteed by its main players and the countries that comprise it.” — Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran

The Hindu

• “From Bishkek to Delhi, the productive discussions continue,” — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

New Indian Express

• “The prevailing situation in the region was also discussed. India remains steadfast in its commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace,” — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

New Indian Express

The New Delhi Declaration urges all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” and to avoid actions that could further aggravate tensions. The BRICS summit continues, providing a platform for further dialogue among member states on regional security, trade, and energy cooperation.

CNN-News18