NSA Doval meets BRICS counterparts, discusses West Asia-India-China ties

In this June 22, 2026 file photo, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during a meeting with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Undersecretary for Defense Affairs Ghadir Nezamipour on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers Meeting in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: X/@MEEAIndia via PTI

Developments in West Asia formed a dominant backdrop as National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval hosted his BRICS counterparts in New Delhi for the BRICS NSA meeting. Mr. Doval met, among others, Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy Minister of Defense of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council for Defense Affairs, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazil’s Minister of Multilateral and Political Affairs Carlos Cozendey, who are in Delhi to attend a two-day event that will examine the world’s security architecture.

“Both sides took stock of the ongoing situation in West Asia. They also discussed cooperation under the BRICS platform and bilateral relations between India and Iran,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal after Mr Doval met Mr Nezamipour. The MEA said the meeting between Mr Doval and Mr Wang was “forward-looking”, adding: “Both sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations and noted progress towards gradual normalization. The NSA emphasized that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building trust and better understanding between the two sides.”

The Iranian delegation had a detailed meeting with the Chinese side here on the sidelines of the BRICS meeting, the Iranian embassy informed. Mr. Nezami “expressed appreciation” for China’s “political support and emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between Tehran and Beijing, as well as Iran’s readiness to respond to any potential threats.”

“The Chinese foreign minister reaffirmed support for Iran’s security and territorial integrity, welcomed the improvement of Iran’s relations with regional countries, and expressed Beijing’s willingness to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional stability,” the Iranian embassy said in a statement, adding that the two sides would continue “close consultations.”

The BRICS NSA meeting on June 22-23 will focus on the “unconventional security challenges facing the world today”, the MEA said in an announcement. The meeting will include an assessment of the results of the BRICS joint working groups to fight terrorism.

Published – 22 Jun 2026 22:09 IST