Published : 13 Sep 2026, 02:32 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:50 AM
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been photographed holding Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s hand at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, in a gesture that has drawn attention.
The photograph, taken at the BRICS Business Forum, shows the two leaders walking together as Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walk alongside them.
The Iranian Embassy in India later shared the image on X, saying the leaders of two great nations joining hands reminded them of the historic friendship between the two civilisations.
“Long live the friendship between Iran and India!” the embassy said.
Modi and Pezeshkian held bilateral talks on Friday, where Modi reiterated India's longstanding position on the West Asia conflict, News18 reports.
He affirmed New Delhi's commitment to peace while stressing that freedom of navigation and trade must not be disrupted, remarks that came as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, the Indian outlet said.
Writing on X, Modi called the meeting "special" as Pezeshkian's first visit to India, saying discussions covered bilateral ties and the need to move forward with a “long-term and win-win strategy”.
He added that the regional situation was also discussed, with India remaining committed to pursuing enduring peace.
Pezeshkian had landed in New Delhi on Friday to attend the two-day BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam.
Addressing religious leaders, intellectuals and business figures, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to “bullying” or “arrogance” and would stand firm to protect its national interests, News18 said.
“They think people will surrender because of the lack of supplies but the people of Iran will not surrender,” he said.
He also compared the actions of the US and Israel with someone riding a wild horse without reining it in, warning that such actions would lead to “doom”.
“God created Iranians, Chinese, Indians and others, and we have to live with each other,” Pezeshkian said. “We will not surrender to oppression, we will keep supporting the oppressed.”
