Xi Jinping Arrives in Delhi for 18th BRICS Summit, Anwar Ibrahim Praises PM Modi

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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an interview with India Today, Pezeshkian highlighted the historical and cultural connection between India and Iran, stating that relations with the Indian Prime Minister have been improving steadily. He noted that the two nations share deep-rooted civilisational ties spanning millennia, which provide a foundation to build stronger cooperation and counter rising global totalitarianism. Pezeshkian addressed critical international and regional subjects during the conversation, including bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi, the ongoing war, relations regarding Donald Trump, the status of the Supreme Leader, and domestic economic conditions in Iran. The discussion also touched upon the Strait of Hormuz, regional diplomatic engagements with the Arab world, and Iran's position on nuclear enrichment and nuclear weapons.