Ahead of the opening session of the BRICS Summit, President Droupadi Murmu hosted visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian — the only dignitary hosted by the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the summit.

Pezeshkian, who landed in New Delhi along with his daughter Zahra, held extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

This comes during the West Asia conflict between Iran and the US.

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During his visit to the presidential estate, the Iranian president also visited the Iranian Hall at the presidential estate — referring to the grand Ashok Mandap, which houses prominent Qajar-era Persian artwork dating back to the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the second Shah of Qajar Iran, who reigned from June 1797 until his death in October 1834.

His daughter Zahra (second from left) at the BRICS Bazaar along with Union Minister Annpurna Devi, in New Delhi, Saturday.

Welcoming President Pezeshkian on his first visit to India, the President expressed appreciation for the support extended by Iran during India’s BRICS presidency, a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. “The two leaders discussed the long-standing bonds of friendship between Iran and India, including strong cultural and people-to-people ties,” it said, adding that Murmu reiterated India’s commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace in the region.

In fact, among all the visits that happened during the India-hosted BRICS Summit, that of Pezeshkian turned out to be the most consequential, with New Delhi rolling out a red carpet and cementing its ties with the civilisational partner in the wake of the West Asia conflict.

Union Minister Annpurna Devi escorted the president’s daughter to the BRICS Bazaar, being held at the Crafts Museum adjoining Bharat Mandapam, bringing together artisans from all member countries. “It was a pleasure to welcome Ms Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, to the BRICS Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum, New Delhi,” she said in a post on X.

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“Had the opportunity to show them around the Bazaar and share the rich traditions, art, crafts and cultural heritage showcased by BRICS members and partner nations,” she said.

A day earlier, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi organised an event for Pezeshkian, with several representatives from all communities, faiths and political affiliations in attendance. At the event, Pezeshkian emphasised that Iran refuses to “kneel” and would never surrender to pressure or oppression from the United States and Israel.