One iconic image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking hand in hand with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has drawn attention as the BRICS Summit began in Delhi. In an exclusive conversation with India, discussing the arresting photograph The Iranian president characterized it today as an indication of closer ties with Prime Minister Modi.
When asked about the viral moment, Pezeshkian responded, "Since the time I took office, our relations with PM Modi are increasingly getting better." Pezeshkian's comment is a part of a longer conversation with Geeta Mohan, Group Editor (Foreign Affairs) at India Today. At 8:00 p.m., the entire interview will air.
As they entered the BRICS Business Forum venue on Friday, PM Modi was spotted clutching the Iranian president's hand. The president of South Africa and Vladimir Putin of Russia stood next to them. The striking picture effectively conveyed India's distinct strategic autonomy in the face of a shattered global order.
For the first time since taking office in 2024, Pezeshkian is traveling to India for the BRICS Summit. It occurs in the context of the US and Iran restarting their tit-for-tat strikes after a short break in hostilities that lasted for the majority of August. Control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil flows, is at the center of the fresh hostilities.
While maintaining strategic and commercial relationships with Gulf countries, the majority of which have been targeted by Tehran, India has maintained friendly relations with Iran despite the turmoil.
Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran was constantly striving to improve relations with India by utilizing the long-standing cultural ties between the two nations.Iran and India have a long history and strong cultural ties. The Iranian president emphasized that this is something that will never change over time.
In a subtle jab at the US, Pezeshkian emphasized that more collaboration between Tehran and New Delhi might help combat "growing totalitarianism" in the world.
"We are attempting to ground our relationship in the deeply ingrained tradition. "We will be able to combat the global rise of totalitarianism with greater cooperation," he emphasized.
MOJTABA KHAMENEI IS ALIVE
Pezeshkian emphasized that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive and "doing his job" amid intense rumors about him.The majority of our leaders have been targeted by the US. Mojtaba is still alive and working. America cannot find Mojtaba. They are disseminating propaganda because of this," he stated.
After his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the majority of his immediate family were killed in joint US-Israeli assaults on Iran earlier in February, Mojtaba assumed the role of Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mojtaba hasn't been seen or heard since, though, and has stayed out of the public eye. After the US strikes, there have been rumors that he is seriously hurt and in a coma. Mojtaba was scarred, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
US intelligence sources have informed the media that Mojtaba was most likely in a covert shelter with limited access to the outside world, despite the lack of information regarding his location and condition.
PEZESHKIAN-MODI HOLDS BILATERAL
The timing of Pezeshkian's BRICS Summit visit to India is critical. Iran's relations with the Gulf are at an all-time low, the US has increased its strikes, and the Strait of Hormuz is still unstable.
India's diplomatic efforts to get an agreement on the joint declaration will be put to the test. Members of the extended BRICS group include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two nations that have been hardest hit by Iran's retaliatory strikes.
Pezeshkian called on the group on Friday to establish a framework that would prevent any nation from interfering with the "legitimate trade" of others. The comment was interpreted as a critique of Donald Trump's policy.
However, during his bilateral conversation with the Iranian President, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need of "safeguarding freedom of navigation" and "lasting peace" in the Middle East.
