TEHRAN – The Iranian President says Iran's participation in the BRICS group presents a valuable chance to strengthen our relations with the global community and to challenge the unilateralism and totalitarianism of the United States.

Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks on Tuesday, before his departure for Kazan, Russia, to participate in the 16th annual BRICS summit. The summit brings together the world’s fast-developing economies, traditionally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with new members including Iran, Egypt, the UAE, and Ethiopia joining the group this year.

President Pezeshkian expressed optimism about the potential benefits of Iran’s membership in BRICS, emphasizing that the summit provides an opportunity to bolster Iran’s international relations and counteract U.S. dominance. 

He also announced that Iran aims to secure “significant agreements” in key sectors such as energy, industry, trade, and tourism during the summit. 

With BRICS now representing nearly 46 percent of the global population, 36 percent of the world’s GDP, and a quarter of global exports, Pezeshkian underscored the strategic importance of Iran’s role within the bloc. 

Upon his arrival in Kazan, Pezeshkian met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time since taking office. the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and addressed regional concerns.

Modi congratulated Pezeshkian on his July election victory and welcomed Iran's entry into the BRICS economic bloc. The leaders reviewed existing bilateral relations and explored avenues for further collaboration in various sectors. Both leaders highlighted the significance of the Chabahar Port contract, a crucial milestone in India-Iran relations, for facilitating Afghanistan's reconstruction, bolstering trade, and strengthening economic links with Central Asia. 

The discussion also touched upon regional developments, including the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of the conflict and reiterated India's call for de-escalation. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and underscored the vital role of diplomacy in resolving the conflict.

Pezeshkian is also set to meet with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin during his short stay in Kazan.