Iran’s Supreme Leader’s representative urged India to contribute more to peace, security and justice efforts across the Middle East and Persian Gulf, pointing to its leadership of BRICS this year.
Dr. Abdul Majid Hakeem Elahi, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader and a senior Iranian diplomat, made the appeal during the “A Region in Flux: Who Will Shape the Middle East’s Future?” session at the NDTV World Summit on Oct. 23. Referring to India, he said, “It can play a very, very big role.” His recorded remarks offered no specific mediation plan.
Elahi cited India’s BRICS chairmanship and its ties with Iran. India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 12-13. The leaders’ declaration expressed concern about Middle East tensions and called for restraint, civilian protection, and increased efforts through dialogue and diplomacy. It also called on BRICS members to coordinate on keeping trade, supply networks and energy moving.
The declaration set out a collective position on regional tensions but did not designate India as a mediator. Elahi urged a greater Indian contribution without identifying a mechanism or next step.
Elahi described India-Iran ties as dating back 5,000 years. India’s Embassy in Tehran characterizes the countries’ interactions as millennia-long. The embassy’s account also records a friendship treaty signed March 15, 1950.
India’s broader diplomatic role also featured in remarks by Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli at the summit. Bartoli said a wider role brings added responsibilities, a theme EconoTimes covered earlier this week.
