Pezeshkian’s India Visit: Why Iran Matters to New Delhi’s Geopolitical Strategy?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to visit New Delhi in September to attend the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026. His visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with tensions in West Asia continuing to affect regional security, energy supplies and global trade routes.

For India, Pezeshkian’s visit is about much more than BRICS diplomacy. Iran occupies a strategically important position in India’s regional calculations, particularly because of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major share of global energy supplies passes. Any prolonged instability around the waterway can affect oil prices, shipping costs and ultimately India’s economy.

Another major issue is Chabahar Port. India sees Chabahar as an important gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia that provides connectivity without depending on routes through Pakistan. The port is therefore both an economic project and a significant element of India’s regional connectivity strategy.

A Modi–Pezeshkian meeting could also focus on energy security, trade, regional stability and the future of India-Iran connectivity projects. Tehran has also welcomed a greater diplomatic role for New Delhi in efforts to reduce tensions in West Asia.

At the same time, India must carefully balance its relationship with Iran against its partnerships with the United States, Israel and Gulf countries. This makes Tehran one of the most complicated relationships in India's foreign-policy landscape.

Pezeshkian’s Delhi visit could therefore become an important test of India’s ability to pursue strategic autonomy while protecting its energy, economic and geopolitical interests.