Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

Foreign Minister Araghchi seeks the bloc’s backing against US pressure in New Delhi, but India likely to prioritise de-escalation and trade

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, is expected to rally support for Tehran’s war against the US during the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, amid a fragile ceasefire with its adversary.

India, which holds the Brics chair this year, is hosting the gathering from the expanded bloc that now includes Iran and the United Arab Emirates – countries at odds over the conflict launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also attending the two-day meeting, where discussions around Gulf shipping routes and the effectively blockaded Strait of Hormuz are high on the agenda.

“I expect Araghchi will use the Brics platform for three purposes: to seek diplomatic support to counter US military pressure, to press for a stronger collective anti-American statement on the war and to reassure India and other Brics members that Iran remains open to diplomacy,” said Uday Chandra, a political-science professor at Ashoka University in India’s Haryana state.

But Brics, which has long sought to present itself as a voice for the Global South, could not agree on a common position on the war at a meeting of its officials last month in Delhi.

Chandra said India was likely to steer the diplomatic conversation towards de-escalation, maritime security and practical guarantees for Indian ships. “Anti-American theatrics are unlikely, therefore, to dominate the summit in India,” he said.