A photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking hand-in-hand with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday captured more than a moment of warmth. It also reflected India’s careful diplomatic balancing in an increasingly divided world.
PM Modi was seen escorting Pezeshkian into the forum venue at Bharat Mandapam, while Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walked alongside them.
The image highlighted India’s position as a country that continues to engage with Iran and Russia while maintaining dialogue and strategic partnerships with the United States and other Western nations.
The moment also reflected the growing importance of the expanded BRICS grouping, whose leaders gathered to discuss cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, innovation and global development.
Pezeshkian’s visit marks his first trip to India since becoming Iran’s President. It comes at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia, amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, while India and Washington continue to maintain close strategic ties.
The photograph’s warm tone was particularly notable against this complex geopolitical backdrop. Modi and Pezeshkian were seen smiling as they walked together, underscoring the longstanding relationship between India and Iran.
Later in the day, Modi held bilateral talks with Pezeshkian, marking their second meeting in less than two weeks. Discussions focused on India-Iran relations, with the broader situation in West Asia also taking centre stage.
India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred path toward a lasting solution to the Middle East crisis. New Delhi has also highlighted the importance of energy security and called for safe passage for vessels carrying essential supplies.
Following the meeting, Modi described Pezeshkian’s visit as particularly significant because it was his first trip to India as President.
“We talked about the India-Iran friendship. We believe that we should move forward with a long-term and win-win strategy,” Modi said in a social media post.
He added that the regional situation was also discussed, stressing that India remained committed to pursuing lasting peace.
