18th BRICS Summit In Delhi, Modi-Xi Bilateral Talks & Push For Multipolarity

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, where he was received at the airport by Minister of State Muktar Tibrewala. The Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to President Xi, stating that India looks forward to constructive discussions as BRICS continues to advance cooperation and contribute to a balanced, representative, and multipolar world. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting PM Modi's immense global appeal and popularity. Experts on the broadcast, including Lieutenant General Raj Shukla and ORF Associate Fellow Heena Makija, discussed the evolving character of the BRICS grouping amid global geopolitical rivalries and the decline of traditional multilateral institutions. The panel examined the bloc's internal contradictions, expansion, economic architecture, and its role as a crucial platform for dialogue among nations amidst ongoing international tensions.

Diplomatic discussions highlighted the significance of key bilateral engagements with international partners amid ongoing regional tensions. Talks with regional leadership emphasized resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy while keeping vital sea lanes of commerce and communication open under international law. In relations with neighboring powers, progress has been made through core commander level talks and an eight-point agreement to address boundary matters and trade balance alongside border peace and tranquility. Furthermore, strategic autonomy guides ongoing international partnerships, with a strong focus on narrowing trade deficits by expanding exports. As plurilateral groupings expand, the agenda emphasizes resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. Rather than functioning as an anti-Western platform, such multilateral frameworks seek institutional reforms to serve developing economies and the Global South. Diplomatic efforts continue to prioritize people-centric initiatives spanning trade, clean energy, mobility, health, and education to enhance resilience and economic opportunities across member nations.

In an interview with India Today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed questions regarding Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that he is alive and performing his duties. Pezeshkian dismissed speculations, asserting that foreign adversaries spread rumours because they cannot locate the Supreme Leader. He condemned the actions of the United States and Israel across the region, accusing them of carrying out assassinations and targeting leaders, scientists, and infrastructure. Pezeshkian also discussed bilateral relations between Iran and India, noting that ties with the Prime Minister of India are strengthening continuously based on deep-rooted historical and cultural connections.

In an exclusive interaction, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian articulated Tehran's foreign policy stance and addressed escalating regional tensions across West Asia. Speaking on Iran's position amid ongoing conflict, President Pezeshkian stressed his country's resilience, firmly ruling out surrender or capitulation to the United States and Israel. He placed responsibility for the conflict on Washington, characterising the US as the provocateur while maintaining that Iranian actions constitute retaliation. The Iranian President also addressed critical issues surrounding maritime security at Bab el-Mandab, Houthi operations, strained relations with the United Arab Emirates, and the presence of American military bases in the region. Furthermore, the discussion explored potential diplomatic pathways, including the possibility of direct, precondition-free dialogue with Donald Trump, and highlighted historical bilateral ties between India and Iran.