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BRICS Foreign Ministers Meet in New Delhi as Iran War, Oil Crisis Dominate Agenda

May 14, 2026 • 14:00 UTC WNS News Desk 7 min read Breaking news, BRICS

NEW DELHI — May 14, 2026 — Foreign ministers from BRICS nations gathered in New Delhi on Thursday, May 14, for a two-day meeting dominated by the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its cascading impact on global energy markets, maritime security and economic stability across the developing world .

India, which holds the rotating BRICS chair for 2026, is hosting representatives from the expanded bloc that now includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—countries that have taken differing positions on the Iran conflict. The meeting follows the war launched by the United States and Israel earlier this year, which has disrupted shipping routes and contributed to volatility in oil and gas supplies.

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Jaishankar Backs Two-State Solution, Warns of Maritime Risks

In his opening remarks, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the conflict in West Asia “merits particular attention,” warning that “continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation”.

He noted instability in countries including Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Libya, stating that “Lebanon and Syria face continuing challenges. The conflict in Sudan imposes a heavy human cost. Yemen presents humanitarian concerns and maritime risks, while stability in Libya remains important”.

“Taken together, they underline a clear reality: stability cannot be selective, and peace cannot be piecemeal,” Jaishankar said. “It is essential to uphold international law, protect civilians, and avoid targeting public infrastructure. India stands ready to contribute constructively to de-escalation efforts and to support initiatives aimed at restoring stability”.

Addressing the Israel-Palestine issue, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s longstanding position: “India supports a two-state solution where the Palestine issue is concerned”.

BRICS as a Stabilising Force Amid Global Flux

Jaishankar said global relations are in “considerable flux,” with ongoing conflicts reshaping trade, energy security and development priorities. He stressed that emerging economies expect BRICS to play a constructive and stabilizing role in an increasingly unpredictable world .

He emphasized that peace and security remain central to the global order and that recent conflicts only underline the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

The foreign minister also highlighted that many countries continue to face challenges related to energy, food, fertilizer and health security, calling for deeper cooperation on these fronts.

For broader context, see our in-depth analysis on: Modern World Order Explained: Power, Alliances & Global Systems.

High-Profile Attendees and Bilateral Meetings

The meeting has drawn key participants including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov . Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar are also attending.

Ahead of the formal sessions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met several foreign ministers on the sidelines, including Lavrov, Araghchi, Vieira and Lamola .

The Modi-Araghchi interaction was particularly significant amid continued instability in West Asia, especially concerns surrounding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global energy supplies and trade. India has repeatedly underlined the importance of de-escalation and uninterrupted maritime commerce in the region.

Iran and Russia Push for Ceasefire, Condemn Unilateral Actions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been deeply involved in Tehran’s ongoing diplomatic engagements with Washington, urged member states to take concrete measures to halt escalating tensions and address what he described as unchecked violations of the UN Charter.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov briefed Prime Minister Modi on progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since the meeting between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025. The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.

Internal Divisions Over Joint Statement

The expanded BRICS bloc, originally formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, now includes several major emerging economies. However, internal divisions over geopolitical conflicts and relations with Western powers have raised uncertainty over whether a joint statement will be issued at the end of the meeting.

Officials said discussions are also focusing on trade, investment and connectivity issues in light of global economic pressures, as well as food supply chains and financial access for developing nations .

Meeting Structure and Agenda

The two-day meeting includes three working sessions on: global and regional issues; 20 years of BRICS cooperation on resilience, innovation and sustainability; and reforms of global governance and the multilateral system.

The theme of the event is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Modi’s “Humanity First” vision for BRICS. On Friday, May 15, BRICS member and partner countries will participate in a session themed “BRICS@20: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” followed by a session on reforms of global governance and the multilateral system.

The outcomes of the meeting will be presented to leaders of member countries at the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in India in September 2026.

SOURCES / INPUTS

Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs: BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting – New Delhi, May 14-15, 2026

The Tribune: PM Modi meets BRICS foreign ministers amid churn in global order

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