Iran has signalled its intent to deepen economic and energy cooperation with India, with senior ministers from the two countries holding talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.
Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad met Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday to discuss expanding cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector. The meeting reflected Tehran’s interest in rebuilding energy ties with New Delhi at a time when global energy markets are undergoing significant change.
The discussions took place as India hosted the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting under its BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué reaffirming the grouping’s commitment to energy security, sustainability and technological cooperation. It also outlined priorities including resilient energy infrastructure, innovation, smart grids and the adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen the energy sector.
While the BRICS agenda focused on cooperation among member states, the bilateral meeting between India and Iran drew attention because of the long-standing energy relationship between the two countries and the possibility of closer engagement in the future.
Speaking to reporters after arriving in New Delhi, Paknejad stressed the historical relationship between the two countries and said Iran was keen to broaden economic ties. “We have had historical relations between Iran and India for a long time, for centuries,” and Tehran was “ready for all the relations we can have in economic fields with India,” he said.
Iran recently secured a temporary easing of restrictions on its energy exports following diplomatic engagement with the United States. The development has renewed interest in Iran’s potential role in global energy supply chains, particularly among countries seeking to diversify sources of crude oil.
India was once among the largest importers of Iranian crude, with oil purchases forming a key pillar of the bilateral economic relationship. However, those imports came to a halt in 2019 after sanctions on Iran’s oil sector were reinstated, forcing Indian refiners to source crude from other suppliers.
Although there has been no announcement of any agreement to resume oil trade, the meeting between Paknejad and Puri indicates that both sides remain engaged on energy issues.
For Iran, India remains an important potential market, while for India, maintaining dialogue with a major energy producer fits into its broader strategy of ensuring energy security through diversified sources and international partnerships.
The discussions also underline the role of forums such as BRICS in creating opportunities for bilateral engagement alongside the wider multilateral agenda, even as countries navigate a rapidly changing global energy landscape.
