Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (May 14, 2026) hosted top diplomats from the BRICS nations as New Delhi kicked off a high-stakes conclave of the Foreign Ministers of the influential bloc.

The visiting dignitaries, who made a joint call on the Prime Minister, included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iran's Abbas Araghchi, Brazil's Mauro Vieira, Indonesia's Sugiono, and South Africa's Ronald Lamola.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (May 14) called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia.

During the meeting, the PM reiterated India’s consistent stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the best way forward.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Mr. Lavrov briefed Mr. Modi on the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025 at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

“Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Prime Minister exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia,” the statement said.

The India-hosted meet assumed greater significance as the influential bloc grapples with the economic consequences of the West Asia crisis, particularly the severe energy supply disruptions, and Washington's policy on trade and tariffs.

India, as the chair of the BRICS, is hosting the two-day conclave from Thursday (May 14) ahead of the annual summit of the grouping in September.

BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.

It has emerged as an influential grouping as it brings together 11 major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5% of the global population, around 40% of the global GDP and around 26% of the global trade.