Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ghadir Nezami, arrived in New Delhi on Monday, June 22, 2026, to participate in the BRICS National Security Advisers' (NSA) Meeting scheduled for June 22-23. His visit underscores Iran's engagement with the bloc as India chairs the group for the fourth time.
Meetings and Objectives
During his stay, Nezami is expected to attend specialized sessions and hold bilateral meetings with relevant officials from participating countries to exchange views on security issues and multilateral cooperation. The Iranian Embassy in India confirmed his arrival via a post on X, stating that he would engage in discussions on security matters.
India's Role as BRICS Chair
India is hosting the BRICS NSA Meeting, which will be chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting will focus on the theme 'Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today.' Participants will discuss the rapidly evolving nature of national security challenges and the role of new technologies in emerging security threats.
The NSAs will also review outcomes from the recently held BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and on Security in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies. This meeting is part of India's BRICS Chairship in 2026, guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,' reflecting a people-centric approach articulated by Prime Minister Modi at the 2025 Rio Summit.
BRICS Membership and Agenda
BRICS comprises eleven major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The platform facilitates consultation and cooperation on contemporary global and regional issues, as well as global political and economic governance.
The official BRICS 2026 website notes that the agenda has expanded from initial economic concerns to include three core pillars: political and security, economy and finance, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Cooperation now spans counter-terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, international economic and financial situations, telecommunications, agriculture, labour, employment, international financial architecture, trade, and the WTO.
India previously held the BRICS Chairship in 2012, 2016, and 2021. The current meeting marks a continued effort to address global security challenges through multilateral dialogue.
