Iran's Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad met India's Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss enhancing cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting, which India is hosting under its BRICS Chairship 2026.
Bilateral talks focus on oil and gas collaboration
Paknejad, who is in India to participate in the BRICS Energy Ministerial, addressed the meeting and outlined Iran's views on key global energy issues. The two leaders explored ways to deepen bilateral engagement in oil and gas, including investment opportunities and exchanging perspectives on recent developments in global energy markets.
Upon his arrival in New Delhi the previous day, Paknejad highlighted the long-standing ties between India and Iran. "As you know, we have had historical relations between Iran and India for a long time, for centuries, as you know. And at the time being, I'm here to take part in the BRICS, Energy Ministers for the members of BRICS. We are now ready for all the relations we can have in economic fields with India, especially in India," he said.
Sanctions waiver and geopolitical context
Paknejad also commented on the sanctions situation, stating, "About the sanctions as you know we have a kind of waiver for 60 days and we are going on based on some issues that we have had agreed with Americans in this regard about the sanctions." This comes amid tensions between Iran and the United States, which have shown signs of improvement following the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding on June 17. The first round of high-level talks concluded in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with mediators Qatar and Pakistan announcing an agreed roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days.
Meetings with other Indian officials
Paknejad also met with Union Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting. According to a statement from the Iranian Embassy, the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration.
BRICS Energy Ministerial agenda
The two-day BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting, held on June 25-26 in Gurugram, Haryana, brings together energy ministers and senior officials from all BRICS member countries to advance cooperation on energy security, sustainability, and innovation. This is India's fourth BRICS Chairship, following earlier tenures in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the overarching theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)." Within the Energy Track, India has adopted the theme 'Energy for All', reflecting the shared commitment of BRICS nations to ensuring universal energy access. India's Presidency has structured the BRICS Energy Agenda around three broad priorities: Energy Security and Sustainability, Energy Access and Equity, and Technology and Innovation.
BRICS composition and global significance
BRICS today comprises 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. These nations together account for nearly half of the world's population and around 40 per cent of global GDP.
